About Me

My name is Denise Mc Andrews and I recently started work on my Ed. D; thus this blog. I'm a member of the educational community where I both learn (as a member of the JDP Cohort 8 - otherwise known as the GR8 8) and lead (as Coordinator of the School of Career Education for adults in Riverside County). I hold a MA in Sociological Practice from CSUSM which I believe adds to my toolkit as an educational administrator and researcher and I hold several credentials from the State of California. One of my "bucket list" items was to teach at university level and last spring I had the pleasure of teaching Youth and Society at CSUSM.

I believe in career education and in the power of providing a variety of educational opportunities for students; not everyone will go to college but everyone deserves a chance to do something really enjoyable, achieve their passion, and feel like they add to the world while making a livable wage. I love academia, and I am driven to a profession that rewards it. So, I continue on into my 20th year of formal education. It's interesting to note, however, I was a late-in-life completer - going around a few mountains before getting through my first college degree around age 36.

I had several other "lives" before completing school and starting a career in educational administration: I am a former Restaurant owner; charter school developer; Rotary President; day-care provider, and home-school mom. I have been known to be my husband’s assistant and marketer in his financial advisement business. I have a wonderful husband, three daughters, three awesome son-in-laws, and seven terrific grand children. I think my family is top notch! I enjoy kayaking, taking Harley day trips with my husband; entertaining and cooking; reading and writing, and sharing the love of God which I consider paramount to my existence.

Some of the best work I've completed in my life is in the picture below; my three daughters. They are amazing, intelligent, caring women. I find it awesome to be their mother and their friend.

You've probably gathered by now that I am not a traditional student by measurement of age. My advice to you is listen to that still small voice in your heart and follow it to the good of mankind and service unto others. Then, whatever is needed to provide you with the skills to accomplish that ends, go for it no matter what!