Shirley Mendez is a dedicated early childhood education professional originally from Colombia, who moved to the United States in 2014. Since then, she has passionately devoted herself to supporting young children through their earliest learning experiences.

With experience across various classroom settings, from infants to preschoolers, Shirley has developed a deep understanding of each stage of early development. Her educational journey reflects her commitment to excellence: she earned her Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC) in 2018, her Child Development Associate (CDA) in 2019, and her Director Credential in 2020. She is also certified to support children with diverse behavioral needs and has completed numerous training courses in child development and early childhood education.

For five years, Shirley worked as a preschool teacher before joining FORZA Child Development Center in July 2023 as both the Director and VPK Lead Teacher. She feels honored to be part of the FORZA family, where she continues to grow professionally while remaining committed to providing the highest quality care and education to the children and families she serves.