Velda McKenzie

Velda McKenzie was first introduced to Conscious Discipline when Jill Molli, the school counselor, brought it to Eugene Field. Velda did not jump on board right away. Her thoughts were, “Oh no, now what? We have done Lee Canter, Madeline Hunter, behavior modification, and even developed our own checks and balances.” Because of her respect for and friendship with Jill and her administrator, she went through the motions. One day, while the administrator was in earshot,  Velda used, “You did it!” The response from the student was life-changing. Velda actually went home and started reading the book she was supposed to be reading. Today, she cannot imagine working with children without the skills and powers of Conscious Discipline.

Velda is a 35+ year veteran of the classroom. Her experiences include teaching physical education to grades PreK-6th and science and reading to 4th grade students. She developed and implemented the preschool program at the Children’s Therapy School. Velda has been recognized as Columbia, Missouri Teacher of the Year (1973), Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year (2000), and Mexico, Missouri Teacher of the Year (2004). She received the Pioneer in Education Award in 2015. Velda served on the district Professional Development Committee and the Professional Learning Committee, and she chaired the Physical Education Department. She is currently the director of Centralia’s After-School program.

As a Conscious Discipline Certified Instructor, Velda has provided in-service trainings for large and small groups, keynotes, and classroom coaching. Velda has trained bus drivers, cafeteria workers, secretarial staff, and special area teachers (Art, Library, Music, and Physical Education) as well as classroom teachers. She has presented at PTA meetings, Parent as Teacher, State Administrator Conference, Iowa’s Foster Care Conference, Missouri Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, and church parenting classes. Velda is passionate about providing teacher, parents and after school programs with the skills to respond rather than react to life’s situations.

 

 

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