Isabel Mendoza
Owatonna
Summary
Seasoned early childhood professional with 25 years of experience in education, program development, and strategic leadership. Demonstrated expertise in Head Start programming, fostering collaboration within school districts, and building cross-sector partnerships. Currently serves as Associate Director, overseeing comprehensive early childhood initiatives, managing federal and state grants, and driving staff development. Committed to advancing social-emotional learning, enhancing school readiness, and promoting equitable outcomes for children and families.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Director
Semcac Head Start
03.2022 - Current
- Oversee all program areas with the Head Start Director, ensuring quality services and strategic planning.
- Support development and maintenance of comprehensive data systems, policies, and procedures.
- Assist with federal and state grant applications and budget management.
- Created and implemented the Student-Onsite Support Specialist (SOS) role to support social-emotional development using Conscious Discipline.
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance program effectiveness and compliance with federal regulations.
- Developed and implemented training programs for staff, improving service delivery quality.
- Collaborated with community partners to expand resources and support for families served.
- Oversaw budget management, ensuring optimal allocation of resources across multiple programs.
- Facilitated regular performance evaluations, promoting professional development among team members.
- Established policies and procedures that enhanced operational efficiency within the organization.
- Led teams of up to ten personnel, supervising daily performance as well as training and improvement plans.
Inclusion Coordinator & Site Manager
Semcac Head Start
03.2019 - 03.2022
- Oversaw disability, social-emotional support, and cultural diversity across sites.
- Implemented CDA cohort and DLLPA through ECLKC to promote cultural humility.
- Collaborated with school districts and LEAs to ensure services for children with disabilities.
- Supported grant writing and budget planning with leadership team.
- Developed and implemented training programs for staff to improve service delivery.
- Analyzed program data to identify trends and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- Mentored new staff members, fostering a supportive learning environment within the organization.
- Entered data, generated reports, and produced tracking documents.
- Collaborated with department heads to develop strategic plans aligning with overall company objectives, fostering a unified approach toward shared goals.
- Improved project outcomes with meticulous attention to detail in planning phases, ensuring all requirements were met ahead of deadlines.
Student Support Specialist
McKinley Elementary
01.2018 - 03.2019
- Provided social-emotional and behavioral support through individual and group interventions.
- Collaborated with social workers to implement student support plans.
- Collaborated with teachers and parents to address student needs and enhance learning outcomes.
- Implemented behavioral intervention strategies to promote positive classroom environments.
- Reduced behavioral incidents by establishing a positive behavior support system in collaboration with colleagues.
Center Manager
Tri-Valley Migrant Head Start
04.2012 - 03.2015
- Supervised 25–30 staff across Early Head Start, Migrant Head Start, and Pregnant Mom programs.
- Led staff development, family services coordination, and community agency collaboration.
- Managed recruitment and parent engagement activities.
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Managed staff recruitment, training, and performance evaluations to build a high-performing team.
- Facilitated communication between families, staff, and community partners to support program objectives.
- Promoted a culture of teamwork through effective leadership, open communication channels, and regular team-building activities.
Bilingual Preschool Teacher / Family Advocate
Three Rivers Community Action Head Start
01.2001 - 04.2012
- Utilized Dual Language Learner strategies and Creative Curriculum.
- Led Spanish language transitional classroom and collaborated with Dr. Lillian Duran on a pilot project.
- Presented pilot project at Head Start Conference in Washington D.C.
- Developed engaging bilingual lesson plans to enhance early childhood literacy and language skills.
- Fostered inclusive classroom environments that support diverse learning needs and cultural backgrounds.
- Implemented assessment tools to monitor student growth and identify areas for improvement in curriculum.
- Streamlined daily classroom operations, ensuring compliance with Head Start performance standards and regulations.
- Led professional development workshops focused on innovative teaching strategies in bilingual education settings.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Early Childhood
Rasmussen College
01.2005
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education Leadership
Rasmussen College
01.2025
Skills
- Fluent in Spanish communication
- Staff Leadership & Mentorship
- Data-driven program assessment
- Community Engagement & Cross-Sector Collaboration
- Analytical thinking
- Team collaboration and leadership
- Operations management
- Hiring and training
- Diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Employee relations
- Problem resolution
- Training and development
Accomplishments
- Developed and implemented the Student-Onsite Support Specialist (SOS) role to support students with social-emotional needs using Conscious Discipline.
- Presented at the Head Start National Conference on Dual Language Immersion Program.
- Implemented DLLPA through ECLKC and promoted a culture of Cultural Humility.
- Created a CDA cohort to support equitable professional development.
- Collaborated with Dr. Lillian Duran on a pilot project for Spanish language transitional classroom.
Certification
- CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) Certified
- Conscious Discipline Training
- Family Service Credential – Portage Project
- Head Start Program Governance & Management Training
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Early Childhood Education
- ASQ Trainer
- DLL/ELL Strategy Training
- First Aid & CPR Certified
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Associate Director
Semcac Head Start
03.2022 - Current
Inclusion Coordinator & Site Manager
Semcac Head Start
03.2019 - 03.2022
Student Support Specialist
McKinley Elementary
01.2018 - 03.2019
Center Manager
Tri-Valley Migrant Head Start
04.2012 - 03.2015
Bilingual Preschool Teacher / Family Advocate
Three Rivers Community Action Head Start
01.2001 - 04.2012
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education Leadership
Rasmussen College
Associate of Applied Science - Early Childhood
Rasmussen College
Speaking Engagements & Conferences
- Head Start National Conference – Washington D.C.
- Speaker: “Dual Language Immersion Program”
- - Presented on best practices and implementation strategies for dual language immersion in early childhood settings.
- - Shared insights from Head Start programming and district collaborations to support bilingual learners.
Core Competencies
- Early Childhood Education & Development
- Head Start Program Management
- Strategic Planning & Ecosystem Building
- Federal & State Grant Administration
- Social-Emotional Learning & Conscious Discipline
- Legislative Advocacy & Policy Engagement
- Budget Oversight & Resource Development
- Data-Informed Program Design
- Staff Leadership & Professional Development
- Cross-Sector Collaboration & Convening