Maura McKechnie was nominated by her colleague, Sara Zadorozny.
"As a new teacher at Dodge, Ms. McKecknie has been a tremendous resource for me. I also discovered she has been working tirelessly to cover the class I now have for the first quarter of the year. She has an open door and allows me to come into her room whenever needed. She always seems to have the time to help me improve my teaching, but her impact doesn't stop there. The other teachers in the building tend to feel the same way, and all the students in our school know and respect her. Her life-changing support continues for all who enter our campus," said Zadorozny.
Maura McKechnie is one of the best math teachers I have worked with, in my 34 years in TUSD! She understands kids and is able to reach them and instill an understanding and even love of math. She does this with students of ALL LEVELS and abilities in the SAME class!!! She can accommodate and differentiate for students without missing a beat and still teach the concepts. ?? She has high expectations and students rise to meet them. She is also an AMAZING coach and colleague. I love working with her!!!
Ms. Mckechnie has been our kids teacher for over 10 years! She is one of the best, kindest, and most amazing people we have had the pleasure of knowing! She’s an amazing teacher who cares for every single one of her students! She is the best of the best!
Maura is everywhere. If your kid is involved in something at school then she knows about it. She probably helped organize it or she’s running it or she knows what you need to know about it. In addition to that she is a favorite teacher among all students. I have seen her patiently and positively help students who are struggling; I’ve seen her challenge and inspire higher level classes. Even when she’s not feeling her best, she is positive and kind and professional. #thebomb.com #AllThatAndABagOfChips
Ms. McKecknie is both an excellent teacher and a fantastic human. Both of my daughters were in her class for advanced math, and found her teaching style to be clear, hands-on, and understanding. It’s also been my experience in my six years of being a Dodge parent that Ms. McKecknie is an essential glue that keeps both academic and extracurricular programming moving forward at Dodge- she deserves all the accolades!!
Ms. McKechnie is truly a gem! She treats students with such respect and has a way of talking to them and getting through like no other teacher has. She is patient, kind, supportive and VERY encouraging! She should host a conference for teachers as a guide on how to interact with students to make an impact.
She has inspired my daughter to be the best student she can be! She has made such an impact of her life that she will keep forever. She is a leader and an incredible role model, ESPECIALLY for middle school! So thankful for her!
I have had the pleasure of getting to know Ms. McKechnie for the last 9 years. She has helped shape my 3 children into wonderful students and adults. She is an outstanding teacher and competitor. We can't thank her enough for the amazing job she has done at Dodge. We wish her nothing but the best with her future in teaching and coaching. Go Bulldogs!!!
Ms. McKechnie is absolutely amazing! not only in the classroom and coach she’s a wonderful person through and through! I got the blessing to be her student many years ago following my older siblings she was always so supportive and patient with all of the kids no matter the circumstances. She helped me really find my love for basketball when she was our coach i went on to play in high school and i thank her for that, for pushing us always to be the best people we can be! now she teaches my younger brother and she’s only gotten more amazing ! if anyone deserves this award it truly truly is her !
Ms. McKechnie is one of the best teachers in TUSD. The way she can see the best in children and make them shine is remarkable. As a parent of a blind introvert student, Ms.McKechnie saw our child’s potential. Not only did she adapt the math world of equations and graphs to braille and tactile to teach, she made a leader out of a shy quiet girl. To quote my daughter “Ms.McKechnie has a superpower to see my ABILITY in my disability.”
Ms. McKechnie not only teaches math, she is also our soccer coach. She always makes sure we understand the material she teaches us. She is an amazing person in general. She definitely deserves this nomination.
Ms. McKechnie is one of those teachers that children remember for a lifetime. She is by far my children's favorite Math teacher, going as far as making my daughter love math for the first time in her life. The lessons she learned carried her into honor classes in high school. Additionally, Ms. McKechnie coaches the girl's soccer team, continually encouraging students to expand thier comfort zones. Further, her work on the PTSA Board as Treasurer is greatly impactful in facilitating events and support between Teachers and Parents.
Great Teacher
She has been always very patient and willing to help us with any questions.
Ms. McKechnie deserves the LifeChanger of the Year Award for her unwavering dedication to fostering growth and success in her students. She took the time to truly understand my son Everett, listening to him and creating an environment where he could thrive after feeling lost. Her genuine care extends beyond the classroom, as she invests deeply in her students and their families, ensuring everyone feels valued and supported.
My family absolutely loves Ms. McKechnie! She has taught all of my children and right now she is teaching my last child. My kids all say that she is their favorite teacher. I love that my kids are very comfortable and able to come to her class anytime. When my son took math with her I seen a big difference in his education. I am so grateful because math is not his strong subject! Congratulations the Parks and Fooks family are so proud of you and you deserve this
I work on the parent advisory committee (PAC) at Dodge Middle School, and Maura McKechnie serves as the staff liaison for the PAC. Not only does she work tirelessly to ensure an organized closet of materials, but she also provides a valuable link between the committee and the staff to learn teacher preferences, coordinate volunteer signups, and organize funding. She also leads the National Junior Honor Society and communicates service opportunities for student members. If that were not enough to take up her time, Maura coaches the girls' soccer team with inspiration, guidance, and perspective for the players. She does all of this with humor, connection, and respect, which explains why she's everyone's favorite among students and parents alike. Dodge would not be the impactful school it is without Maura.
We recently moved to Tucson and my son Everett came to Dodge as an 8th grader. Instead of getting lost in the shuffle and overlooked with the other students who had already been there for 2 years, Ms. McKecknie went above and beyond to make sure Everett received the best education he could. She was instrumental in getting him in an advanced math class and involved with National Honor Society. This has meant so much to us and really helped our son feel included, valued and set up for success. Thank you Ms. McKecknie!
Ms Mckechnie not only is a great teacher and has helped many kids but she is also a great soccer coach. She has helped me start my soccer journey when i was in 6th grade. She is also and amazing teacher. She helps whoever, whenever and is always willing to lend a helping hand. She spends her mornings, lunches and after school evenings with students who need her help or on the soccer field.
She is a great math teacher and a nice person. She's helped me through tough times and also through math when i needed help .
From math teacher to soccer coach and njhs representative Ms mckechnie continues to impact our school she works so hard to insure that all students succeed she’s an amazing coach for our soccer team and she’s great at organizing events for our NJHS club to ensure our members get there hours even after that she does countless other things around campus to help students thank you to Ms mckechnie for everything she does here at dodge
Ms. McKecknie is nothing short of amazing. Her door is always open to help a student in need. I am simply amazed by her dedication to teaching.
Ms. McKechnie has been an amazing teacher and support for my children for 3 years now. Being a single parent of three children, I greatly appreciate her communication and extra care she has for me and my children. She goes above and beyond in keeping me informed on all of my children as well as other school related items. She has definitely made a tremendous impact on my entire family.
My eyes are welled with tears as I write this. Ms. McKecknie is the teacher you pray for your child to have. She is the teacher that my son can talk to about anything and has that open door policy for him and all students. She demands excellence and wants to see all the students win. She does so much for the school with PAC, coaching and supporting the students at their after school games. I don't know how she does it all but she is truly amazing and she deserves this award!
Mrs. Mckecnie is so amazing, she always makes her classroom feel welcoming, and sets aside time to work with her students. She is one of the best teachers I have ever had, and I enjoy math because of her.
