“A supervisor’s dream” was just one of the many compliments Alina Mendoza received in regards to her new promotion earlier this month.
Her official title of assistant-principal of the Alternative Education program oversees the program, staff, and students in Memorial High School and the No. 5 Middle School (see sidebar).
Announced officially during the Nov. 14 Board of Education public meeting, the 11-year math teacher of Memorial High School in West New York gave her open thanks to the board and public.
“I thank you for the opportunity to work as assistant-principal,” she said, and vowed to strengthen the Alternative Education program.
Mendoza, who initially worked as a substitute teacher at Memorial, officially became a math teacher on Mar. 1, 1996 under the supervision of district math supervisor Donna Mirabelli.
“[Mendoza] has a wonderful work ethic, encourages her students, and has a very good rapport with them,” said Mirabelli in a phone interview, “I know she will do a fabulous job as an assistant principal for Alternative Education.”
The program was in need of a new assistant principal after the sudden and sad death of Sharon Johnson in September. After assistant principal of Memorial High School Gene Pagnozzi temporarily filled in for the position, Mendoza decided to apply for the job.
Out of 10 candidates, the school board interviewed the top three. Afterwards, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Van Zanten interviewed the candidates a second time, with Mendoza as their ultimate choice.
“I think we’ve selected a very vibrant young lady,” said West New York’s Superintendent Van Zanten, “I’m looking forward to working her and making the Alternative Education program the best it can be.”
Mendoza’s official starting date for the new position is Dec. 1.
Background
Upon graduating from Memorial High School, Mendoza immediately knew that she wanted to embark on a career involving math education.
“I didn’t have a doubt in my mind that [becoming a math teacher] is what I wanted to do when I left high-school,” she said.
Her undergraduate work at New Jersey City University (NJCU) involved a double major: one in mathematics and another in education. She completed her studies at NJCU with her two bachelor’s degrees and graduated in 1994.
Mendoza soon returned to Memorial High after college, but this time, she returned as an educator. Being employed as a substitute teacher at the time, Mendoza recollects the feelings she had upon returning as a “great experience.”
Her supervisor Mirabelli also remembers when Mendoza used to substitute, confessing that every time a math teacher was out, she would request that Mendoza come in, noting that Mendoza would do everything a normal teacher did “except for only 75 dollars a day.”
“When I went back I knew a lot of teachers,” said Mendoza, “everyone was really nice and helpful.”
Mendoza said that the students are what make the job fun and exciting.
“You get to see [the students] grow up and go to college,” said Mendoza. “Some come back and visit you. It makes you feel like you accomplished something.”
Higher education
Mendoza remembers that her former teachers-turned-colleagues wanted her very much to succeed.
In fact, the cycle of students becoming teachers keeps perpetuating itself as Mendoza recently recalled a student who wants to teach math.
According to Mendoza, while at a parent-teacher night she remembers telling the mother of a freshman student about her daughter’s math skills. The mother then told Mendoza that her daughter aspired to become a math teacher when she grew up – just like Mrs. Mendoza.
Throughout her career, Mendoza acknowledged that she wanted to extend her skills and abilities beyond the classroom to reach more students. The battle for her lay in choosing which medium she would utilize: guidance counseling or an administrative position.
During the earlier part of the decade, Mendoza worked alongside Memorial’s assistant principal and helped in translating conversations between parents and the principal. This role and experience in an administrative position convinced Mendoza of her career path which led to her returning to NJCU, but this time for her master’s degree.
In 2005, Mendoza completed her M.A. in Administrative Provisions.
Mendoza said that she is looking forward to her new position and hopes to implement whatever is necessary to make the program a success.
“I think the people that know me, know my work ethic,” said Mendoza. “I’m convinced that’s one of the reasons I was chosen for job. I will get the work done. I will implement whatever is necessary to support the program I’m in charge of.”
Mendoza said that it is important to her for people to remember her as a great teacher and administrator and as someone who makes a difference.
“This is a new experience for me, said Mendoza. “This job will be a challenge, but I also think this job will be exciting. It will bring me closer to the community and the parents. I’m definitely looking forward to all that.”
For comments on this story, e-mail NMillan@hudsonreporter.com
SIDEBAR
Alternative Education –
According to Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum of West New York Schools Rosemary Donnelly, the program at Memorial was implemented to assist and facilitate the needs of students whom traditional education was leaving behind. The project initially began with two teachers (George Affuso and Cory D’Iorio) that would teach a double class period of language arts. A decade ago, the program saw expansion into what it is today: a group of eight dedicated teachers to cover areas in the language arts, social studies, math, science, and life survival skills. The program is geared towards high school freshman and sophomores, and 7th and 8th graders of the No. 5 Middle School. It later developed a need for an administrator due to the volume of students thus resulting in an overseeing assistant-principal. The program targets students who are at risk of falling too far behind. Equipped with more personal attention, a smaller student-to-teacher ratio, family communication, and a hands-on learning style, students are given the tools needed to succeed. – NM