Mrs. Olga Mendez

ABOUT ME:

I was born and raised in Santa Ana.  I attended Martin Elementary, Lowell Elementary, Willard Intermediate, and Santa Ana High School. I have been a lifelong Santa Ana resident.  I married my high school sweetheart and we just celebrated our 32nd anniversary. We have raised our three children (now 30, 27, and 22) in Santa Ana and they also attended Santa Ana schools.

 I am the product of a single immigrant mother who taught me that education was the key to a better future and the oldest of 6.  She taught me that I should work hard and always do my very best on anything I do.  I pursued a career in education after having a family and received my degree and credential from CSU, Fullerton. I enjoy quiet days with my family, going to the movies,  reading, journaling, thrifting and going on color walks.

MY COLLEGE / WORK / LIFE:

I received my bachelor’s and math credential at CSU, Fullerton. I fell in love with teaching math when I was in college helping peers as a math tutor. I then began working as an Avid tutor while I was going to school along with working with the Santa Ana Boys and Girls Club as a tutor and a mentor.  I enjoyed working with children from the beginning.  I have taught 9th, 7th and now 8th grade math.  I love it! 

MY PASSION AND MY COMMITMENT:

I love being an educator and connecting with my students more and more each day. I have been a mom longer than I have been an educator and I  will always treat my students just how I would like my own children to be treated.  I hope that my students believe that everyone can be a math person and build a relationship with the subject.  I understand that not all students have had a favorable experience with math and I hope to change that for them this year as we work together with a growth mindset.  I believe that we can all continue to grow and so I continue to bring in resources and strategies that will engage my students. The goal behind this is to make them feel accomplished and successful.  My biggest reward is when my students have learning opportunities, moments of growth and success.  My commitment to my students is to always be authentic while holding them to high expectations, to believe in them, and to make them feel safe.  I am so incredibly grateful and fortunate to be here at Samueli for a 7th year.  I look forward to seeing our students grow as they go onto 9th grade and beyond.