About

Mrs. Mendez has been teaching at Oak Park High School for 20 years and has been a member of public education for over 30 years, as an Art Educator. 

      A native of Los Angeles, she grew up in South Gate, CA  and received her B.A. in Art Education and Single Subject Clear Credential from California State University Long Beach. 

      Living in Simi Valley,  Mrs. Mendez enjoys working with children, and is especially inspired by the OPHS students' creativity and energy. She loves to draw and paint and encourages her students to create what is passionate to them, stressing innovation and experimentation.

       Mrs. Mendez currently teaches drawing and painting at the beginning, advanced, and AP level.  Regularly attending the AP Conference has deepened her understanding of the AP Art rubric. The OPHS AP Art scores reflect that growth. Mrs. Mendez proudly states, "It's incredibly rewarding to see our students' creativity and effort recognized at a national standard."

       Mrs. Mendez is currently on the Diversity and Equity Task Force (DETF) for the Oak Park Unified School District and is a representative for Oak Park High School. She is involved with the subcommittee that focuses on racial healing, justice, and protection.

Mrs. Mendez' students have received awards, prizes and honors in the following distinguished art contests and shows: 

• Anti-Defamation League "No Place for Hate"

• Ventura County Arts Council 

• Ventura County First Five Poster Contest 

• Ventura County Transportation Commission Calendar Contest

• Westlake Art Guild High School Senior Art Show 

• Reyes Adobe Days: The Art Scene

• Focus on the Masters, Ventura County Arts Council: Tamima Al Awar Memorial Scholarship

• Ventura County Scholastic Art and Writing Scholarship

• Cultural Arts Council, Greater Conejo Valley Student Awards Juried Art Show