Zoe Mendoza advises several media organizations at LTHS, including Journalism, Photojournalism, Newspaper, and Yearbook. A recent graduate from Texas State University with a degree in Photography, Mendoza has been implementing her knowledge to assist others in broadening their knowledge of journalism, all while balancing her commitments as a freelance photographer.
Mendoza described the quick transition from the student experience in college to employment in a school.
“It has been absolutely insane,” Mendoza said. “I recently just went back to my school town and I didn’t realize how different it was. Just a couple months of going from being a college student to going into the workforce has been a very interesting ride. But I have loved it.”
From acclimating to school logistics to increasing student motivation, Mendoza detailed the challenges she faced as a new teacher.
“I can know the assignments, I can know how to grade the assignments, [and] I can know how to talk to y’all and teach y’all things, but it’s everything else behind [the scenes],” Mendoza said. “Also, connecting with the kids that don’t really care [and] trying to get them to meet where everyone else is at. That’s definitely more difficult because it’s such a fine line.”
Although being a teacher involves plenty of work behind-the-scenes, Mendoza explained how the interactive moments on campus have been especially fulfilling.
“It’s nice to meet students that want to get to know the new teacher and want to know the subject, and want to have fun,” Mendoza said. “I get to talk with you guys and teach y’all and so that’s probably the best part. We work well together, we get along.”
To help increase student engagement with the organizations she leads, Mendoza listed some action items and ideas to integrate them more into the community.
“Posting around the school and connecting with the students, asking what they want y’all to speak on,” Mendoza said. “You just need to connect with people and advertise yourself and just have people know your name. So it’s little steps, but also talking with y’all one-on-one on what y’all want to do to be out there.”
Mendoza explained this significance and her plans to leave an impact in the LTHS community and help usher the organizations she leads into a better future.
“I want you all to be integrated into the community so they know about you, y’all can get things from each other,” Mendoza said. “[For] my Photojournalism and Journalism kids, I want them to leave having experience with the real world.”
Above all, Mendoza hopes others strive to pursue their passions and take action no matter what environment they find themselves in.
“I read it literally on a Tumblr post somewhere, and it’s literally about just going after what you want, and you may be scared but do it scared,” Mendoza said. “Everything’s going to be scary but if you never try, you’re never going to know.”
