Title: Teacher (Retired)
Company: Bristol County Agricultural High School
Location: Dighton, Massachusetts, United States
Joseph A. Mendonsa, Retired Teacher at Bristol County Agricultural High School, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in English and history.
Mr. Mendonsa became involved in his profession because deep down inside he always wanted to teach. From 1978 to 1997, he was a commercial fisherman and lobsterman in Newport, Rhode Island. When the fishing became hammered with more and more restrictions, it gave him a chance to do something different. He decided to work with children because he has always had great relationships with them. He then became a substitute teacher with Newport Public Schools/Newport County Vocational/ALP from 1991 to 1998, with Bristol-Warren School Department and North-South Kingston Public Schools from 1995 to 1998 and Tiverton High School from 1995 to 1998. In 1998, Mr. Mendonsa became a social studies teacher for Joseph Case Junior High School, for one year. From 1999 until his retirement in 2021, he was a teacher at Bristol County Agricultural High School.
Mr. Mendonsa’s career highlight was being in service with the U.S. Navy, where he was able to follow the path of his father and uncle. He joined the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1971, and was commissioned as an Ensign in November 1972. He was released from active duty in 1976 and completed his reserve duty in 1995. Before joining the military, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Providence College. Once he completed his service, he received a Master of Arts in modern European history from Providence College in 2003. During his time with the service, Mr. Mendonsa also gave back to the community. He was a weight events coach for the Naval Academy Prep School from 1985 to 1986, a baseball coach for the Middletown Little League from 1990 to 1993, a basketball coach for the YMCA Youth League from 1986 to 1994, a volunteer assistant basketball coach for Gaudet Middle School from 1994 to 1995 and a volunteer assistant weight events coach for the Track and Field Team of Middletown High School from 1995 to 1996. He served as an Assistant Track and Field Track Coach of Mount Hope High School, and was involved with the Spirit of Newport from 1998 to 2000.
Looking toward the future, Mr. Mendonsa wants to continue enjoying life. He finds a lot of enjoyment through civic duties and previously served as captain of the Spirit of Newport from 1998 to 2000. He served as a member of the Middletown Planning Board from 1996 to 2002, and since 1996, has been a member of the board. As a testament to his success, the Bristol County Agricultural School has dedicated its yearbook to him in 2004, 2010, 2015 and 2021. Mr. Mendonsa also been listed in Who’s Who in Teachers twice and in Who’s Who in America.
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