Karmin Mendoza

411 S. Clela Ave, Los Angeles CA 90022 | 323-893-6261| karminee@icloud.com

Lisa Davis, Director

Community of Schools
Local District East
2151N. Soto St.
Los Angeles, CA 90032

September 26, 2020

Dear Lisa Davis,

I am writing to express my interest in the position of Assistant Principal of East Los Angeles Renaissance Academy at Esteban
Torres High School. East LA Renaissance Academy has been known for its efforts to further academic excellence for students
of racial, ethnic and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds. I believe that my experience and my leadership skills make me
uniquely qualified for carrying on the mission of excellence while working with all stakeholders in leading ELA Renaissance
Academy in the future.

My professional work experience spans 11 years in LAUSD. I began my career teaching English at my alma mater, Garfield
High School, then due to layoffs I had the opportunity to teach as a long-term substitute at Manual Arts High School in South
Los Angeles. My experience at Manual Arts was truly eye opening and help see the greater need for educators of color in our
schools. In 2014, I transferred to Griffith STEAM Magnet Middle School, also my alma mater, where I have spent the last
seven years serving the students and community in different capacities, currently as the Targeted Student Population Advisor.

Although my title is that of an advisor to the principal, I believe I have been more of an advocate for our students and parents.
As TSP, I have focused on improving the culture and awareness of the reclassification criteria for our English Learners, meeting
the District’s reclassification goals every year. I accomplished this by building relationships with our students and bringing
awareness of their status as EL learners, creating tutoring programs tailored to improve their language development. I created
and presented parent workshops on the ELPAC and ways that parents can best support their child towards reclassification. I also
worked and collaborated with our content area teachers to improve instructional practices to meet our LCAP goals for the Title
1 program. As an English teacher, I implemented researched-based strategies to improve literacy in low performing students
and was successful at increasing their reading levels by two grade levels. I believe that using research-based strategies and
interventions for student improvement is critical to improve instruction and increase student SBAC and IAB scores. Perhaps the
aspect I am most proud of is the improvements in community and family relationships. Other than TSP Advisor, I am also the
one charged with communicating with our families through our websites and social media sites, connecting with resources, and
keeping our community informed. This has been crucial during distance learning, where parents and students are accessing all
information digitally.

Building relationships with our students and communities are essential for student academic success. As a product of East LA, I
understand the needs of the community and their hunger for success. It is the same hunger I had as a child and one I will use to
work alongside all stakeholders in furthering instructional effectiveness and student growth. I am excited by the challenge of
serving the students, parents, and staff at East Los Angeles Renaissance Academy.

Sincerely,

Karmin Mendoza
Targeted Student Population Advisor,
Griffith STEAM Magnet Middle School