Counselor - Carmen Martinez

My name is Carmen Martinez and I am the counselor at Rufino Mendoza Sr. Elementary.

I Graduated from Herbert H. Lehman College in New York City with a double major in both Psychology and Latin American and Caribbean studies.   My education path began over sixteen years ago when I started as a parent volunteer at the elementary schools while I went to college.  From there I started working as a paraprofessional in diverse educational settings, including special education.  While in New York City I worked in middle school, teaching seventh and eighth graders math and science, and then went on to teach third grade bilingual.  I moved to Texas 11 years ago and started teaching Language Center students, and later on established myself as a third grade bilingual teacher.  I received my masters in counseling from Amberton University in Garland, TX, and have been working at Rufino Mendoza Sr. Elementary for the past nine years.  I am very proud of our students and enjoy working with each and every one of them.

Literacy Coach - Marilyn Rishel

Mrs. Rishel has been in education for over 20 years.  She came to Mendoza in 2005.

She did her undergraduate work at Trevecca University in Nashville, TN, then  went on to get her Masters in Reading from the University of Louisville, in KY (GO CARDINALS)

Mrs. Rishel works with the teachers and students at Mendoza.  She delivers trainings, models lessons, tutors after school and helps children develop their reading skills.

She has one son and one daughter and lives with her husband and family in Arlington.

Math Coach - Kimberly Bradley

Kimberly Bradley has been teaching at Rufino Mendoza since 2001.  She taught 5^th grade for 7 years.  This past year, she obtained the position as Mathematics Coach.  Ms. Bradley helps in training the teachers about the new EnVisions Math Program implemented this year.  She also tutors during and after school to ensure our students’ and teachers’ successes.  Her spare time is spent with her son, Jacob.  They enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.  Ms. Bradley also loves to run, while Jacob is happy riding in the stroller. 

Librarian - Benjamin Perez

Mr. Perez has been the librarian at Rufino Mendoza for three years.  Before joining the Mendoza family, he was a teacher at Manuel Jara Elementary where he taught 4th grade for 4 1/2 years and 5th grade for 2 years.

Mr. Perez is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and is currently completing his master's degree at the University of North Texas.

When Mr. Perez is not spending time at home with his wife and child, the family enjoys attending all OSU Cowboy football home games, as well as watching major league baseball.  GO POKES!!!!!!!

Art - Bree Locke

Music - Jesse Hernandez

St. Mary’s University (major: Music Education), San Antonio, Texas.

Attended North Texas State University (major:  Music Composition) Denton, Texas

San Antonio College (studied Classical Guitar and Math), San Antonio, TX          .

Completed undergraduate work at the University of Texas at San Antonio and received a Bachelor of Music degree in Composition specializing in electronic music composition and Classical Guitar performance).

 Graduate work at The Ohio State University, Columbus; received a Master of Music degree in Composition (electronic music composition).

 While working in FWISD attended evening, and summer sessions to complete work on and earned a Provisional All-Level Music Certificate (Grades PK-12).

Then, again, attending evening, and summer sessions, I earned a Standard Principal Certificate (Grades EC-12) at University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas and was recognized as a University Scholar for maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

I have worked in FWISD since 1994 and taught at Monig, Daggett and Handley Middle Schools, teaching choir and general music; Polytechnic High School where I directed choir and a Mariachi Band.

Then I became a part of the FWISD Itinerant Elementary Music Teacher program which pioneered reintroducing the music curriculum to the FWISD elementary schools.  Each Itinerant Elementary Music Teacher only taught 4^th and 5^th graders at three schools each.  I taught at Manuel Jara, Rufino Mendoza and Washington Heights.  The program was a success and about 4 years ago FWISD decided that every elementary school should each have its own full time music teacher.

This is my fourth year as the full time music teacher at Rufino Mendoza.  

P.E. - Carolyn Gordon

Go Mighty Trojans!

My name is Carolyn Gordon and I am the physical educator. I have taught at Rufino Mendoza Elementary for seven years. I graduated, Summa Cum Laude, from Texas Woman’s University in 2003.  My Bachelor of Science degree is in Kinesiology.  I am married and have two wonderful grown children. I enjoy photography, gardening, crafting, and exercising. My teaching philosophy is that all students will find success when they commit to a physically active lifestyle based on healthy attitudes and positive choices.