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Publication Date

Spring 2025

Contributors

JoAnna Mendez, Barbara Ortiz

Keywords

Hispanic Heritage, Hispanic Serving Institution, St. Mary’s University, Mexican background, education, bilingual, cultural challenges, role models, teaching certification, Catholic

Digital Publisher

Digital Commons at St. Mary's University

Description

In Part 1 of our interview, JoAnna Mendez discusses her Mexican heritage, emphasizing her parents' strict upbringing and the importance of education within her family. She shared some of the difficulties of navigating both English and Spanish languages, and her participation in ESL programs in school. JoAnna explained how her cultural background significantly shaped her educational path, crediting her parents as her primary role models. She chose St. Mary's because of its intimate size and Catholic affiliation, appreciating the religious aspect. She also shared her views of the moniker “Hispanic Serving Institution” in relation to St. Mary’s, and she discussed her feelings about Hispanic Heritage Month.

Format

PDF, MP3

Size or Duration

6 pg; 10 min, 31 secs of audio

City

San Antonio, Tx

Hispanic Heritage Month Project-StMU Oral Histories with JoAnna Mendez, Part 1

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