Denisse Ochoa
Position: Librarian
School: Cesar Chavez Elementary School
School District: Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District
City, State: Pharr, TX
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Denisse Ochoa was nominated by her colleague, Nora Galvan.
Ms. Ochoa is the librarian at Cesar Chavez Elementary School, where she works laboriously to incentivize student innovation. She always looks for other avenues to develop lifelong learners on campus. One project that Galvan recalled was how Ms. Ochoa brought science to the library. She requested funds from Donors Choose to sponsor an indoor butterfly observation tent. Students witnessed the transformation of chrysalises into beautiful butterflies. The observations were used for writing skills, research skills, reading skills and making connections to the life cycles.
Ms. Ochoa was awarded a $7,000 grant from Lowe's to build an outside reading garden. Through this project, students discovered that learning and research go beyond the walls of libraries. This project helped demonstrate that learning is everywhere. The garden has seating spaces and plants that invite different native birds, bees, and other types of species to the area.
Approximately two years ago, she was awarded the Laura Bush Grant, and received approximately $7,000. She was able to add books to her library collection, purchase technology items and classroom sets, and meet additional library needs
Ms. Ochoa has also applied for sponsorship for technology and reading nooks through Donors Choose. She was awarded sofas, Osmos, iPads, and other up-to-date technology items to help students explore other methods of learning. She continues to apply for items that she needs, to help her students thrive in all areas of education.
"It was during an author visit when I witnessed the PSJA Education Foundation surprise Ms. Ochoa with a $3,000 check for a collaborative project that she and other teachers applied for," Galvan said. "It was a great opportunity to collaborate with teachers. She was instrumental in guiding her colleagues through the application of this grant."
Along with other district librarians, Ms. Ochoa has also presented at district, state and regional workshops. They have shared innovative 21st Century ideas with other regional librarians in the area; ideas like: Maker Space, Dot and Dash coding, Osmos, Green Screen, eNewletters and Research Resources.
"Denisse is part of a group of librarians that helps with making the curriculum connection," Galvan said. "She helps to search for links from our ESC 1 library resource to fit the content areas. We make this available to all of our teachers and administrators through our Intranet services. Denisse merits being recognized for the extent of efforts she extends to help our students who have 100% federal assistance."
Denisse Ochoa In The News:
Fueron nominados 8 educadores al premio LifeChanger of the Year
Eight PSJA ISD leaders nominated as LifeChangers of the Year
Great Librarian! Very productive and has a great personality with students, staff and parents always there to help out.
Denisse is outgoing innovative and on the cutting-edge in technology. She is a LifeChanger.
Mrs Ochoa is an awesome Liberian we are so blessed to have her in Cesar Chavez Elem.
Congratulations Denisse! Your dedication to literacy and work to make opportunities possible for your students shines in all you do.
Denisse is accomplished and a proactive librarian that has used her talents to obtain grants, free books and free technology tools to help her students gain knowledge and power.
She is an awesome library in our PSJA District
Mrs. Ochoa is a go getter! Her inspiring dedication to her library keeps her school library in the newest information and technological information. She strives to keep her school in the know of what is needed to succeed for today but for the future. Mrs. Ochoa finds resources to accomplish her unlimited educational goals to assure that her students succeed. Truly an amazing professional and a spectacular friend.
Mrs. Ochoa is a remarkable librarian! She is dedicated in the excellence in our students with high expectations and perserverance. She is always on a mission researching new ideas to enchance student learning, finding funding to implement new technology, and implementing student engaging activities. With all her hard work and dedication, she has positively impacted our students lives. Mrs. Ochoa indeed a Life Changer.
She has been a great asset to our library and an awesome colleague. She tries her best to provide our students with great opportunities and assist the school in whatever we need. She works so hard to make a huge difference in our students lives.
Mrs. Ochoa, you have such a great character influencing not just the students but colleagues as well to continue striving for more!
Mrs. Ochoa has made a great impact in so many students at our school. Her love and enthusiasm for reading and technology has been passed along in a variety of was and has blossomed in the hearts of our kids. As a parent of one of her students I have seen how she encourages students to exceed their own expectations and thrive on challenging themselves. Thank you so much Mrs. Ochoa you are truly a life changer.
I’m so proud to know Denisse. She is a colleague and it is great to have her as part of my team. She is a go getter who is always exceeding the standards. Way to go Denisse! Keep up the good work.
A dedicated educator and champion for kids! She is a lead librarian, always welcoming, enthusiastic and looking out to provide her students the best opportunities possible. She is also her campus Public Relations representative where she helps share the incredible achievements of Cesar Chavez Elem. student body and staff. We appreciate her dedication and love for her community!
Mrs. Ochoa is definitely the best candidate for the LifeChanger award. She always strives to do the best for our students and our community. Her dedication to our school has made a major impact on the success of our campus. She's always looking for innovate ways to interact with all students. Mrs. Ochoa is the best!
Mrs Ochoa is a true life changer having a great impact on our future generation. He dedication to excellence reflects in her results. Great Job Denisse!
Awesome job Denisse you are well worthy of it! Great job!
I had the honor to have had Denisse in my life as a great friend, extended family member and ISD cowker for roughly 15 years strong now. I have witnessed her excel in many ways of her life! She is a very humbled individual with a strong life and working ethic. It is not a surprise to me that others see what I have for so long and in so many ways! She does a heck of a job as a friend, a mother, a wife, daughter, sister and most importantly and rewarding as an educator. She in my opinion and in many others is well deserved of this award. She has not only changed a life but a whole community of people in countless ways! #Brains&Beauty
Mrs Ochoa is an excellent educator and a great inspirational mentor to her students. She really cares for their well being and looks out for them.
Mrs. Ochoa is deserving of such an award. She has gone above and beyond to reach children’s educational needs is all content areas. She has created and brought forth much needed tools for children on many levels both educational and fun!
Denisse is an amazing librarian. She is constantly updating her curriculum and infusing technology into her lessons. Her peers and students always speak fondly of her. Congratulations Denisse!
Great librarian, thinks outside the box, in fact she has taken the Library and literacy outdoors.
Not just a great librarian and teacher but an awesome mother and wife!!!!!!!
The students and teachers of Cesar Chavez Elementary are lucky to have such a great librarian supporting them. I am always impressed with the hard work and dedication Denisse puts forth for her students. Great job!
Denisse changes the lives of children on a daily basis as the Librarian at Cesar Chavez Elementary. Her innovative projects for the school library have introduced the students to technology and encouraged a love for reading. She is also a devoted wife and dedicated mother of two. She is very deserving of this award.
You truly are a life changer! Just as I am lucky and proud to get to call you my sister, your school and your students (present and past) are lucky to have such a wonderful, caring, and inspirational person as their librarian and role model. Love you!
Ms. Ochoa resonates hard work, determination and endurance . She embodies the definition of what hard work is all about.... ex. school librarian, DI coach, UIL coach, grant writer, tutor, chess, book club, PR rep, STC etc.. Her determination and endurance encompasses the vision of Cesar Chavez Elementary which instills character, responsibilities and perseverance in the minds of students.
Ms. Ochoa, a remarkable individual that goes beyond to help students at Cesar Chavez Elementary. Her pedagogy is a living proof of why students are EAGER to go to the library!
Mrs. Ochoa is a very dedicated librarian. She has given our students great opportunities to explore the world of reading through various fun and exciting activities. My students are always eager to go to the library!
I have known Ms. Ochoa for 3 years now. She is AWESOME! Her charisma characterizes her and is always willing to help out. She is connected to fairly well to the community that we serve and goes out of her way to always provide our students with the BEST learning environment. I love her passion for books and how she inspires our student to do the same. I really hope Ms. Ochoa wins this award, because she certainly deserve it!!
Mrs. Ochoa is remarkable, she does so much for the students and is always giving back. She always goes above and beyond and the students have been exposed to many different things thanks to her.
Mrs. Ochoa deserves such an award as Life Changer of the Year! She has given the students at Cesar Chavez Elementary more than just a love for reading! They look forward to visiting the library since Mrs. Ochoa links her lessons to science and technology. They enjoy being a part of our school's reading/learning garden and help water the plants as well as explore the outdoors. She's a wonderful librarian and we love and appreciate all she has done for the students at Cesar Chavez Elementary! Thank you Mrs. Ochoa??
Denisse, our school librarian, is always looking for ways to keep our students engaged and excited about reading. The kids look forward to going to the library weekly.
Such an amazing asset to our school! Mrs. Ochoa is most deserving as she is a role model for her colleagues, an inspiration to her community, a leader in the improvement of reading at Cesar Chavez Elementary!
Thank you for your nomination Mrs. Galvan. It feels wonderful to know that my hard work and dedication doesn't go unnoticed. I will continue to do my best to serve my students at Cesar Chavez Elementary!