CMLF Favorite Teacher Awards - Meet Denise McKenzie, TeWinkle Middle School

  We interviewed each of the final four candidates for the Costa Mesa Library Foundation's "Favorite Teacher Award" in an effort to enable our readers to to get to know them a little better.  This is Part 2 of our 4 part series of interviews...(Denise McKenzie is a Math Teacher at TeWinkle Middle School. - Editor)Were you aware of the Favorite Teacher Awards before you were informed that you were a nominee? (IF YES - ) Did you think you had a chance to be nominated? (why?)No I was not aware of the Favorite Teacher Awards and was surprised when I was nominated.  We have so many great teachers at TeWinkle. 
What made you want to become a teacher?
I feel fortunate to have had two careers that I love, accounting and teaching.  I knew I wanted to become an accountant after an accounting elective in high school.  I truly enjoyed doing accounting and tax work, until I started volunteering in my son's elementary classrooms.  I began helping the teachers by grading at home, volunteering on field trips, cutting out materials for activities, I was even the PTA auditor for two years.  Over the period of 3 years I spent several days a week volunteering in the morning and then going to my accounting job.  I looked forward to working with young students and was known as the "math mom" in my son's 2nd grade class.  It sounds a little quirky, but when I was young I dreamed of being just like Laura Wilder on Little house on the Prairie.  I wanted to be a school teacher and marry Almonzo.  (yes, this dates me!)
What experiences, not related to your job or education, do you feel prepared you the most for teaching? I think being a parent gives you many tools to be a teacher, but even that is not enough. What do you consider to be your biggest strengths as a teacher?
The first week of school I always tell kids that they will either like me or hate me because I will often act and sound like their mom.  I truly believe in treating my students the same way I treat my own children and how I want other teacher's to treat my children.  I make sure kids know that I am there for them and my number one priority is prepare them for the next level or high school, not only in mathematics but as a young adult.  I treat my students with respect and I model honesty, integrity and courage.  Every year I open my doors at lunch for students who need help, after a few months it becomes filled with kids that just want a place to be or a place to feel safe.  I also let the students that I'm not perfect and mistakes are okay, it's what we do with them. Costa Mesa Library Foundation President Barbara Steck was quoted as saying, "You can never give too much credit to the teachers."  What does this mean to you?
I recently had a education student from UCI observe my classes for a few months. At the end of the experience I asked her what she thought of the whole experience and could she see herself in middle school.  She told me that she couldn't believe how much goes into teaching besides actually teacher.  She said something like, your a mom, a problem solver, a counselor, a dictator, a cheerleader and a teacher.   When you look at how our education system works, students are at school more than anywhere else, so teachers can have a huge impact on their student's life.  At times it does seem like an overwhelming responsibility, but also a great gift. 
Growing up, who was your favorite teacher and why?  (Grade, subject, City, State, District and/or school, for reference, if you will)
I had only one favorite teacher in school, my 8th grade teacher Mrs. Osterhout or Mrs. O.  Last I heard she was the principal at Harbor View Elementary in Huntington Beach.  I honestly can not tell you why she was my favorite teacher growing up except that she had beautiful blonde hair and always smiled.    My truly favorite teacher was my son's kindergarten teacher.  All three of my boys had the same kindergarten teacher, Linda Critchell.  She was creative, supportive and inspiring.  Linda created the foundation for my children's success in school.  Linda encouraged me to go back to school and pursue a teaching career.  When I went back to school she gave me a pink school bag; I will always be grateful to her.  She retired a few years ago from Village View Elementary in Huntington Beach.