Mendez honored for work in local schools

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Irene K. Mendez

November 20, 2008

Elementary campus will bear her name

By Anita Miller The San Marcos Record Thu Nov 20, 2008, 10:18 AM CST

San Marcos — In her 56 years of life, Irene K. Mendez got to meet Pope John Paul II, visit with Roy Rogers, run into Regis Philbin on a New York City street and attend concerts by the Beatles and the Temptations.

But it’s her work within the local public school system for which she is most remembered. The San Marcos CISD Board of Trustees voted this week to name the district’s new elementary school for her.

Irene K. Mendez Elementary is scheduled to open in the fall of 2009 at the site of the present Goodnight Junior High at 1805 Peter Garza Drive.

Mendez died of cancer on May 26, 2006.

“She was an example and positive role model to her students and taught them the power of education,” retired SMCISD principal Sarah Lesak told the school board. “She was patient, always finding solutions to any situation, especially if it had to do with educating children.”

Mendez attended San Marcos public schools and earned Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education from what was then Southwest Texas State University. She went on to become a Master Bilingual kindergarten teacher, serving for 28 years. She had been recognized as the DeZavala Teacher of the Year, SMCISD Bilingual Teacher of the Year and a Career Ladder Teacher.

Diana Guerrero also spoke in Mendez’ favor, saying she “carried herself with remarkable spirit, moved mountains with her teaching, building skyscrapers with her expectations and changing the hearts of so many children by enriching their lives with endless possibilities.”

Trustees acknowledged it was a difficult decision. Mendez was chosen from a finalist field that also included Johnnie Armstead and Theodora Scrutchin.

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