March 2024 Employee of the Month

It is with pleasure that we honor Leonel Mendez, Teacher in the Special Education department, as the March 2024 Employee of the Month.

Leonel has worked for many years as a Special Education Teacher with students who are identified as being emotionally disturbed, specifically at the elementary level. In a classroom setting that requires flexibility and patience, Leonel navigates with ease. He sets high expectations for his students and holds them accountable when needed, but creates an equally calm and welcoming space. 

Leonel also builds excellent relationships with his staff, which is evident by the fact that all the staff in his class have chosen to remain working there for several years, despite this population of students being extremely challenging. In an often-chaotic environment, Leonel makes it a priority to ensure that staff get their allotted breaks and lunches, often sacrificing his own time. 

If all of that isn’t enough, Leonel goes above and beyond with parent communications. He is consistently in contact with parents and is often sought out by parents when they need advice on working with their child in the home setting. During challenging IEP meetings, Leonel remains calm and provides a listening ear to potentially frustrated parents. He is truly a gem!