Born on April 29, 1907, Alma Mendosa was raised in Mendocino, attended Mendocino’s schools, and became one of the town’s most loved teachers during her lifetime. Born Alma Jacobs, she graduated from Mendocino High School in 1925.
Following graduation, Alma attended Humboldt State Teachers College in Arcata, California, a two-year program. She came back to Mendocino County and married August “Gus” Mendosa on June 29, 1927, at her family home in Albion.
Alma began teaching that fall at East Mendocino School. She moved to Anderson Valley, then taught at Manchester School, before accepting a position at Mendocino Elementary School in the fall of 1946, where she remained for almost 30 years.
Alma’s tenure at Mendocino Elementary began in first and second grade classrooms. She must have made a good impression, because she was elected principal in 1947 while continuing to teach. She previously held the role of teacher/principal at Manchester, and her leadership in Mendocino continued to impress.
One of her first acts as principal was to add a kindergarten program, making the elementary school K-6. She also implemented and personally led an after-school tutoring program for students who needed additional instruction. Alma favored the “three R’s” of education: “Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic.” Under her leadership, Mendocino Elementary placed among the top five in reading progress in California.
Alma was remembered fondly by her students. Over the years she taught multiple generations of families. Upon Alma’s retirement in 1972, a reception was held in her honor at Preston Hall. Over 400 people gathered to celebrate her long career. The hall was decorated with flowers donated by locals and artwork made by her students. Her last class of second graders sang an original song in her honor.
Delbert Wade, Mendocino School District board president, spoke of Alma’s career and presented her with a scrapbook with the names of all her former students, a set of luggage, and a hand-cut Wallace Crystal fruit bowl.
Alma reflected on her long career and the touching tributes she received during the reception. She said, “As I sit at twilight and dream of those I’ve taught, and see again the faces as familiar as my own, I’ll behold the smiling faces of my students so dear, and I’ll hear again the lessons, which you’ve so finely done, and in my heart I’ll whisper, `God Bless you every one.’”
Averee McNear is the curator at the Kelley House Museum in Mendocino, Calif.
This story originally appeared in The Mendocino Voice.