The Answer - A blog about Education, Preparation, and Commitment.

YES Prep Alumna:  I Became a living example of somebody that defied the odds

March 14, 2011 by Tenesha Villanueva

Alejandra Mendoza graduated from YES Prep Southeast in 2004.  She attended Texas A&M University where she majored in Business Administration/Finance with a minor in Spanish and graduated in 2008.  Alejandra currently works at YES Prep East End as Spanish III/ AP Spanish Language teacher and Spanish III Course Leader.   She had this to share about her experience at YES Prep and her time in college.   

What is your favorite YES Prep memory?

The Spring Trips we went on are by far my favorite memory as a student at YES Prep for a number of reasons. These trips exposed me and provided an opportunity for me to learn more about some of the best colleges and universities in the nation, and although I didn’t leave the state of Texas for college, visiting these colleges and universities allowed me to realize what kind of school I preferred. These trips also made the goal of attending college seem more real and attainable.

Name the teacher/staff member who had the greatest impact on you and why.

I can honestly say that each one of my YES teachers impacted and continue to impact my life in their own special way. Jennifer Hines, for example, has been a great role model for me, and still is to this day. She was the first person I contacted when I initially decided I wanted to teach, and talking to her definitely inspired me to do so.

How do you feel YES Prep best ensured you were college-ready?

YES Prep ensured my college-readiness by academically preparing me to be successful in a college classroom. I hardly ever felt like I wasn’t prepared to do the work in college. Nonetheless, I think YES Prep best ensured I was college-ready by training me to persevere in even the toughest of times. I have often referred to the YES Prep Thinks and Acts for motivation.

 Knowing what you know now, what one piece of advice would you give to current YES Prep students?

There are so many pieces of advice I give current YES Prep students on a daily basis, but the most important advice I give them is to set SMART goals! Whether the goal is to bring up their English grade by 2 points in one week or to complete and submit a summer opportunities application, I strongly believe that setting goals for oneself is the first step to being successful.

What was your most difficult experience/time in college?

My most difficult experience in college was figuring out how to structure my “free” time. At YES Prep, I was used to structure and specific directions on how to do what I was expected to do. College was obviously not that way. I had to learn to structure my time in ways that worked for me, and I had to learn to take ownership of my own learning. Nobody was there to hold my hand, and it was definitely difficult to not have my teachers always telling me what to do and how to do it.

How did you become involved in your college campus?

The spring semester of my freshman year, I joined Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc, and it was the best decision of my college career. This organization not only helped me become a leader on campus, but it also provided a family away from home. Through opportunities offered by this organization, I completed over 30 hours of community service every semester, which was both a great use of my time and rewarding.  I also developed strong leadership skills that I now build upon as a content team leader in my current career.

What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment since graduation from YES Prep and/or college? 

My greatest accomplishment was successfully completing and earning a Bachelor in Business Administration from Texas A&M University. By doing that, I became a living example of somebody that defied the odds and proved that anybody, no matter where they are from, can achieve their dreams. As a first-generation immigrant to this country, I became an example for my younger siblings to follow as they continued the college prep route.

 What are you doing now?

I provide students with an opportunity for intellectual growth. I am currently the Spanish III and AP Spanish Language teacher at YES Prep East End. I am also the Student Council Co-Sponsor, and I absolutely love my job!

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