MEET THE ASPIRE TEAM

At Aspire we value all our team members. Our staff comes to Aspire with a desire to serve our students and are dedicated to the organization’s mission. They are focused on walking alongside our students from the beginning of their journey to the end. This month we meet Brandy Mendoza who is one of our Site Managers.

Name: Brandy Mendoza

Position at Aspire: Site Manager

• What is your background? Family growing up. Where are you from? Have you lived in different cities?

I was born, first of two children, in Dallas to a wonderful young couple. My dad worked for his uncle as a Carpenter/Painter by trade. My Mom stayed at home for many years until she went into the workforce as an Office Manager in a warehouse. As a child, we did a lot of in-state traveling, but I have always lived in Dallas. My parents divorced when I was in elementary school, but everyone remained close. Even to date, we are neighbors. My dad lives two doors down from me. My brother and his family live across the street from my dad. My mom and stepdad live next door to my brother. We all spend a lot of time together.

• Growing up, what did you do for fun, hobbies? Do you have any hobbies now?

Growing up, we were very involved in sports. I played soccer throughout high school. I even tried my luck at BMX racing. I left that love to my brother, who went on to win lots of trophies for his accomplishments. My family members are avid hunters. We spent a lot of time at our deer lease, sitting around the campfires and just spending quality time together. As an adult, I became a huge baseball and football fan. I also love to cook. We often get together with family, and I share my home cooking.

• Did you go to university or college? Field of study?

I was not able to attend college right out of high school. When it was my time, I enrolled in DCCCD and started taking classes to extend my knowledge. I wanted to be a teacher but my love for the office environment took me down a different path. I soon put my schooling on hold. My concentration was on my four children and their success as students. I went back to school part time in 2017 to continue my path to my degree.

• What was your first job? Other jobs, current or past?

The first job that I ever had was working at Whataburger, a true Texas staple.  As a teenager, I juggled school, a job, soccer practice, and drill team.  That did not last long because it was hard to do.  Later in life, I worked for a friend of my mom.  She and her husband had an ornamental metal business.  She took me under her wing and showed me how to run an office.  I have also worked different temporary assignments.  I took a lot of learning with me along the way.  My first steady job was First American Real Estate.  I started as an Office Clerk and over the years, learned/trained my way into Human Resources as a Benefits Administrator.  I have worked for Frozen Food Express, Dallas ISD, and the City of Dallas in administrative assistant positions.

         FUN FACTS

• Favorite quote:

“Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world." –Marylin Monroe

• Your top 3 favorite movies or television shows:

My favorite movies are 1. series of Fast and the Furious 2. Karate Kid (parts 1 and 2) 3. E.T., I watched it the other day and it still makes me cry.

        WORKING AT ASPIRE

• When did you begin working for Aspire (LIFT or ABERG)?

I came to Aberg Center for Literacy in August 2013 as an Office Manager. As we grew into a second location, my title changed to Site Manager. I just celebrated my eighth year with the organization, now known as Aspire.

• What do you like best about working at Aspire?

There is nothing that I do not like, but if I must pick one thing, it will have to be knowing that I make a difference in the students’ lives by creating relationships and listening to their needs. I can understand where they come from. I take a lot of pride in developing those relationships.

• What makes you the proudest of our students?

I have worked in all aspects of our students’ journeys, but I deal directly with the scheduling of GED testing. I have had plenty of moments where I get to celebrate with that student individually when they call to tell me that they have passed and received their GED. Depending on the individual and circumstances, their journey could be long or short. I am there to push them along the path and not let them give up. I value these moments and it makes me very fortunate to work for an organization that allows me to do this.

• What do you hope for our students?

My hope for our students is that they never put their books down. Life is a book in itself. Once they stop turning the pages, they will always wonder what is in the next chapter.

Important Dates

• 11-30-2021
   National Giving Tuesday

• 12-17-2021
   Last day of fall classes

• 12-24-2021 - 01-02-2022
   Aspire offices closed for the
   holidays

• 12-25-2021
   Christmas Day

• 01-01-2022
   New Year's Day

• 01-10-2022
   Spring registration begins

• 02-07-2022
   Start of spring semester

• 03-31-2022
   Toast to Literacy Auction

• Fall 2022
   Legacy of Literacy Breakfast

Help Aspire serve more students by making a tax-deductible donation today.