Together We…Foster Student Growth
What made you excited for a new school year when you were younger? For some students, it might have been new clothes, seeing friends again after a long summer, or the excitement of learning something new. Now, as a Site Program Manager, Mayra Mendoza with the San Bernardino West Region still looks forward to the start of a new school year, but for different reasons. Today, she is excited to see students succeed and grow!
Read below to learn more about her story.
Why Think Together
After more than a decade of working in education, Mayra has found her way to Think Together. One of the biggest inspirations for working here is her passion for supporting students and making a meaningful difference in their lives. Throughout her career, she has found the greatest fulfillment in helping students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Mayra has worked with foster youth, students experiencing homelessness, and other students with unique needs. These experiences have given her extensive knowledge of community resources and have shown her the importance of building strong relationships with families. At Think Together, she has the opportunity to use that knowledge every day by connecting students and families with the support they need while creating a safe and inclusive environment where every child can succeed.
This drive and inspiration have fueled Mayra and her team to serve 256 students last year! Being a part of Think Together allows her to combine her passion for education, student advocacy, and family engagement, while knowing that the work she and her team do has a lasting impact on the lives of the students and communities they serve.
Fostering Student Growth
What has impacted Mayra the most is witnessing the growth her students make—not only academically, but also in their behavior, confidence, and decision-making. Mayra can see firsthand as students develop positive behavioral choices and overcome challenges.
“Celebrating their success is a true blessing,” Mayra states. Student success serves as a constant reminder of why she chose to work in education. Knowing that she has played a small part in their growth and success is one of the most meaningful aspects of her career. While it is great to celebrate success, Mayra also knows that mistakes are a part of the process. She reinforces the notion that mistakes are okay to make and are a natural part of growing.
Fostering student growth is hugely supported by building a strong sense of community. Mayra hopes students know they are part of a larger community that will always care about them, believe in their potential, and are willing to guide and support them. Creating an uplifting environment lets students know they are valued and deserve success, no matter what obstacles they may face.
Turning Advice into Actions
The best advice Mayra has ever received was to always do everything from the bottom of your heart and to never be afraid to ask for advice or utilize the resources available to you. No one has all the answers, and seeking guidance is a sign of growth, not weakness.
The more we learn from others and make use of the resources around us, the better equipped we are to support those who rely on us. Whether it is helping a student, family, or colleague, meaningful support comes from working together, continuously learning, and leading with compassion and sincerity.
This mindset has set Mayra’s goals for the new school year. She wants to continue building on the strong foundation they have created at her site. A huge accomplishment for Mayra is that her site has retained all 17 of their staff members for approximately two years. That level of consistency has had a tremendous impact on their program, allowing them to continuously improve the program quality and create a positive culture where both staff and students feel supported. Mayra believes investing in your team directly translates into better outcomes for the students they serve, and she looks forward to continuing that growth for years to come.
Beyond the Role
Mayra loves spending time with her dog, Lulu, as well as her family and friends. She enjoys new hobbies and experiences that allow her to learn and grow as a person. To Mayra, personal growth is a lifelong journey, and she loves any opportunity to become a better version of herself. Maintaining a healthy balance between her personal and professional life helps her bring a fresh perspective to the work she does every day.
