FOR THE LOVE OF CHILDREN
Teacher/Administrator Moves On
by Jim Evans

Bonnie Mendenhall, after 32 years as a teacher/administrator, is moving on to “another stage in my life.”

Bonnie Mendenhall always knew she wanted to be a teacher. Even as a young girl, she was always organizing things — sometimes to the consternation of her family and friends.

And as a Navy brat, she was exposed to at least 13 different schools — and at least as many teachers — during her childhood, as her family moved from place to place. She finally graduated from Crawford High School in San Diego.

Her grandmother taught English for many years in a one-room schoolhouse in northeastern Iowa on the Tama Indian Reservation — mostly to Indians and Scandinavian immigrants — so Mendenhall grew up hearing stories about the challenges and rewards of teaching. It is probably not coincidental that Mendenhall later also became involved with English learners and literacy programs.

After graduating from Cal Western Methodist University — now Point Loma Nazarene University — Mendenhall began a teaching career in elementary- and middle-school education with assignments in San Diego City Schools; Spencer Valley School in Wynola; Julian; and, since 1983, at Olive Peirce Middle School in Ramona. Ironically, her experience at Spencer Valley School gave her the unique opportunity to teach in a one-room schoolhouse, similar to what her grandmother had experienced.

During the early years of her career, Mendenhall taught science in elementary school, but she later specialized in seventh and eighth grade science at Olive Peirce Middle School. She also served as a Title VII science research teacher, traveling among different schools in the district demonstrating science-learning techniques to science teachers.

Now, as a district administrator, she works closely with principals and teachers, supervising the assessment of supplemental services, exit exams and categorical programs.

After more than 32 years of teaching and administration, Mendenhall is preparing to retire.

"I was reminiscing the other day, pouring through old photos of my classes over the years trying to connect all the names and faces of the students, and I realized how much I have missed the kids by being out of the classroom," she said. "I just love working with the children.

"But the teachers nowadays have so much more paperwork and other responsibilities beyond their classrooms that it’s not quite the same as when I was teaching."

However, retirement is just another word for "another stage in my life," Mendenhall said.

"I hope to continue working with English learners and, perhaps, work part-time for the school district, supervising student teachers," she said, adding, "but my husband and I are also building a second home in Cortez, Colo., and I intend to spend more time with drawing and painting and other personal interests."

Her grandmother would be proud.