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Educators are perhaps the greatest population of unsung heroes in Berrien and Cass County. This school year, Leader Publications will publish spotlights featuring teachers and staff throughout the Dowagiac Union Schools district, giving the community a chance to get to know the hard-working individuals shaping their children’s lives. 

Name: Denise Stockwell

School: Dowagiac Union High School

Grades/subjects taught: 11th Grade English Language Arts, Journalism/Yearbook, Adult Education @ Pathfinders

Where did you attend college? 

Southwestern Michigan College (AA), Western Michigan University (BA), Western Michigan University (Masters of Arts, Teaching in the Middle School)

How many years have you been teaching? How many years have you been with your current school? 

This is my 30th year of teaching. All 30 have been in the Dowagiac Union School District. I taught at Central Middle School/Dowagiac Middle School for 27 years, and this is my third year at DUHS. I have taught Adult Education at Pathfinders for four years as well.

Why did you decide to become a teacher? 

My grandmother was a teacher, and I have many other relatives who were teachers – I guess it is a family tradition! I enjoy working with students and witnessing them learn. It is very rewarding when students realize more about themselves as learners, readers, and what they want from their futures.

Outside of school, what do you enjoy doing for fun? 

I enjoy camping with my family, baking, photography, and going up north.

What is one thing your students may not know about you? 

I am a Dowagiac graduate.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Ponyboy from “The Outsiders”  or Anne Shirley from “Anne of Green Gables.”

When you were a student in the grade you teach, what were your favorite hobbies? 

I was in band, so music has always interested me. I was also in 4-H, so being with my 4-H friends and working on projects and community service activities was where I spent a lot of my time as a teen.

How would your coworkers describe your teaching style and personality? 

I’m not sure, maybe BUSY.  I’m always busy–being the yearbook advisor and an English teacher is quite time-consuming.  My teaching style is very mixed.  I use technology where I feel it will benefit students, but nothing beats reading from a printed book.  I also have students take the lead, especially in my Yearbook class, because they have such great and creative ideas. 

Who is your biggest role model and why? 

My dad was my role model. He worked on the family farm every day of his life. It was never easy, but he made sure the crops were tended, the animals were taken care of and the family was as well. Even after being diagnosed with a brain tumor he worried more about the farm than himself.  

How has education changed in the last 10 years? 

Technology has changed so much in the past 10 years. Online grade books and planning are all online now.  Even viewing a video is very different as we transitioned from filmstrips to VHS to DVDs and now to Digital platforms for resource materials for viewing. 

What is your best advice to parents to help their child continue to grow academically? 

Talk with your child about their interests, what they learned today, what went well, and what didn’t. Ask who they had lunch with and how they showed kindness towards others. Encourage them to read! Finding the right book isn’t always easy, but it is always rewarding. 

If my students learn one thing this year, I hope it is… they matter. Choices matter.  Determination matters. Seeing things through matters, and they are capable of great things!