Itasca ISD welcomes Crystal Mendez to the district. Crystal was born in Dallas, Texas and graduated from Dallas College, with a Bachelor Of Applied Science Early Childhood. She began teaching in December of 2023 in. This is her first year of teaching, and is currently teaching second grade at Itasca Elementary. When asked why she wanted to teach second graders Crystal said “Children are more independent and can communicate effectively.”
Mendez describes herself as “hardworking, funny, and passionate”. Her family includes her husband Tre Sanchez, and her Husky/German Shepard mix, Luna. She grew up in Duncanville, TX and also attended high school there.
What inspires her to teach? “Even though English was not my first language, I struggled and went through a lot as a Hispanic child. Throughout primary school, I had no support from any of my teachers.
Why did she want to be a teacher? “As a teacher, I can give back to my students and parents in the community who are looking for someone to nurture and believe in their children. I want to contribute to my town’s progress. I will also be available to my students to help them overcome obstacles and become successful and influential in the future. Students nowadays must have great dreams and be driven to make a difference. I will be the helping hand they have always needed. Every student experiences it in some manner, but I am determined to make a difference.”
She came from Dallas ISD where she was Student Teaching, and then a long tern substitute at Hillsboro Elementary. She chose Itasca for its small town, and was welcomed with open arms by Holli Merkel. If she wasn’t teaching now she would be a stay at home mom. Some hobbies she enjoys are shopping and eating. A role model she looked up to as a child/adult would be her father. “As an immigrant father, he has worked so hard to have everything he has now.”
Advice she would give to high schoolers is “Work Hard, Stay Humble, don’t take ANYTHING for granted. Always work towards your goals in life no matter what obstacle comes your way. Anything is possible, you just have to work and believe in yourself.” And finally her favorite quote is “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step” – by Martin Luther King JR.
