Clayton Early Learning Denver is proud to reintroduce Geri Mendoza as the new School Director, marking an exciting phase in its commitment to educational excellence. Geri’s return is not just a homecoming; it’s a reunion with a community where she previously honed her skills and deepened her passion for nurturing young minds. Her leadership promises to build upon Clayton’s strong foundation, fostering an environment where educators are empowered and families are served with dedication and innovative approaches. This article delves into Geri’s journey, her educational philosophy, and her vision for Clayton Early Learning Denver.
Geri’s path to education was significantly influenced by her upbringing, surrounded by a family dedicated to service. With both her mother and grandmother working in service-oriented roles, Geri’s inclination towards education felt, in her words, “naturally occurring.” From her earliest years, school held a special allure. She deeply admired her teachers, viewing them as mentors and cultivating close bonds that extended beyond the classroom. This affection for learning was also evident in her childhood play, where “playing school” was a favorite pastime. However, it was her mother’s profession as a schoolteacher that truly solidified her aspiration to become an educator. Witnessing her mother’s dedication firsthand, Geri explained, “I always saw my mother in action and wanted to take the lead from her.”
Her career trajectory reflects a deep commitment to the non-profit sector and education. Geri’s experience spans various educational settings, including her time at Mile High Montessori and previous roles as a school director. Notably, Clayton Early Learning Denver holds a special place in her professional journey. During a college summer, she joined Clayton, drawn to its proximity to her parents’ neighborhood. She was immediately captivated by the campus and became a valuable member of the professional development department. After gaining extensive experience, Geri returned to Clayton Early Learning Denver as School Director for the 2022-2023 academic year. Reflecting on her journey, Geri acknowledges the pivotal role Clayton played in her development: “I grew my skills at Clayton, and learned all I know now from my time working here.”
Driven by a desire to empower fellow educators, Geri’s return to Clayton Early Learning Denver is fueled by the opportunities it offers for professional development and support. “I want to empower educators with the tools to do something on their own and figure out their own solutions,” she stated. Her approach is rooted in leveraging past experiences to understand and nurture the strengths of others. This philosophy aligns perfectly with what she identifies as the “culture of activism” deeply embedded within Clayton’s ethos. Geri firmly believes in self-advocacy, stating, “People should be their own advocates for themselves,” and she is eager to contribute to this empowering environment, mirroring her mother’s impactful service.
To realize her vision, Geri champions “shared leadership,” a collaborative learning style. She emphasizes the importance of empathy and deep listening in understanding colleagues. “It is working with people and listening with empathy that you learn someone’s truth in the moment…This is how you can dig deeper and make connections.” Building these connections, while sometimes challenging, is what Geri finds most rewarding in her work. By fostering an “open door” environment—both literally and figuratively—”shared leadership,” for Geri, means “being present in the classroom, interacting with children and staff and to ultimately show that people are seen and heard.” Her experience as a teaching coach, both at Clayton previously and currently as an instructor at CU Denver, enriches her perspective. “The action of coaching, asking reflective questions, and inquiry helps to illuminate others,” she explains. This underscores the importance of a robust support network, like the one among Clayton’s directors, in driving collective progress.
Geri Mendoza, School Director at Clayton Early Learning Denver, smiling warmly.
As School Director at Clayton Early Learning Denver, Geri is mindful of aligning her initiatives with Clayton’s overarching vision. “The work [we do] is integrative and lives into those actions of how the work environment is constantly being revamped… There are possibilities through innovation, which Clayton is known for, and I believe that the people here do the work [and] follow through with these actions.” She is committed to strengthening organizational systems to ensure clarity and efficiency for everyone involved. “I want to ensure that systems are in place, so people know all that they need to do.”
Geri also values the support from CEO and President, William Browning, in advancing her goals. “I feel that I am in line with William’s plans and know I want to do more to became part of Clayton,” she shared. This includes her active participation in Clayton’s Sanctuary work, which employs trauma-informed practices to support individual well-being. She is also enthusiastic about contributing to Clayton’s community programs, such as volunteering at the Clayton Cares Market, which provides food assistance to families within Clayton and the wider Denver community.
For Geri, her return to Clayton Early Learning Denver feels like perfect timing and placement. Reconnecting with her Colorado roots is a significant personal benefit after living in various locations, including Washington DC. Outside of her professional life, Geri enjoys embracing Colorado’s natural beauty through hiking, camping, and snowshoeing, fully embodying her identity as a Colorado native.
In her concluding message to educators at Clayton Early Learning Denver and aspiring educators, Geri emphasizes the core values of education: “Education is about serving others and shared leadership, operating from an eco (community) stance…Ask more, be curious, be part of the learning process, advocate to be your own person, ensure you have a seat at the table, and that your voice is heard, and to limit assumptions.” Clayton Early Learning Denver is enthusiastic about Geri’s leadership and the positive impact she will undoubtedly have on the school community.
