Beth Mendez joined the cathedral's staff as director of Children's Formation and Family Ministries in August of 2011.

The Knoxville, Tennessee, native is a cradle Episcopalian, and she grew up in a family that worshipped at a cathedral. She hold two master's degrees, one in Special Education and one in elementary education - both earned at the University of Tennessee. She has taught kindergarten and preschool, worked as an intervention specialist and an educational assistant. For one year, she directed a climbing tower and challenge course at a Girl Scout camp.

Beth and her husband, John, have two children of their own - Elias, 3, and Grace, 1. The family lives in Oakley.