Honoring our Great-Hearted Veterans: Robert Mendez

On this Veteran’s Day, we are privileged to count among our faculty and staff the men and women who have worn the uniform of our nation’s armed forces. Their courage, discipline, and devotion to service embody the same virtues we cultivate in the minds and hearts of our students.

Today, we are honored to share the stories of those who have served and who now continue their vocation of service through education. Their example reminds us that the heart of both soldiering and teaching lies in self-sacrifice, placing others before oneself for the sake of truth, freedom, and the flourishing of others.

Robert Mendez has been with Great Hearts since January 2022 and serves as the Dean of Students at Maryvale Prep. Mendez served in the US Air Force as an Instruments and Flight Controls Specialist for KC-10s & C-17s (Avionics Maintenance). “One of the core values of the Air Force is Service Before Self, which I try to do every day,” he shared. “I’m here to serve the students, faculty, and parents in whatever capacity that’s needed. Sometimes that’s dealing with standards and sometimes that means picking up trash on campus.”

“After serving 20 years in the military, I’m blessed to have come back to Phoenix and now I’m able to give back to the area I grew up in, Maryvale,” he said. And Maryvale Prep is grateful to have him in their community.

On behalf of the entire Great Hearts community, we extend our deepest gratitude to all who have served. Your courage in defense of our country and your continued commitment to forming young hearts and minds inspire us daily. Thank you for living out the virtues that make both a great citizen and a great educator.

Do you have a story or know of one that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.

Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/.