Patricia Mendez

Patricia is a 24-year veteran elementary teacher who has taught 3rd through 6th grade in both Title I and suburban schools. She became Orba's most outspoken advocate after the platform helped her reclaim her weekends from lesson planning.

Patricia writes from the trenches — sharing honest, first-person stories about the realities of teaching and how technology can (and can't) help. Her writing doesn't sugarcoat the challenges teachers face, because she lives them every day.

When she's not teaching or writing, Patricia mentors first-year teachers and advocates for policies that protect teacher work-life balance. She believes that the best teaching technology is the kind that gives teachers their time back.