A passion for working with special needs children that started back when she was in junior high, has fueled Denise Thomas’ 31-year career as a teacher, and in the first year of her second stint as a teacher at McCord Elementary, Denise was named the 2022-23 Teacher of the Year for the campus. She currently teaches Life Skills for K-3rd grade.
A family member of a boyfriend Denise had back when she was in junior high school led her to being a special education teacher.
“My boyfriend in junior high had a nephew who was mentally retarded,” Denise recalled. “I loved spending time with the nephew. He was a challenge to me to see what I could teach him and get him to do. I knew at that time that I wanted to work with special needs kids.”
A graduate of Northside High School, Denise received an associate of science degree at Vernon College and transferred to the University of North Texas where she earned her bachelor degree in science in elementary education with a minor in generic special education.
Her first year as a teacher was spent at Jackson Elementary in Abilene, and from 1991 to 2001 she taught special education at McCord, before returning to her alma mater and teaching at Northside ISD from 2001 to 2019. Denise returned to Vernon ISD in 2021, teaching 5th grade Social Studies at Shive Elementary for a year before returning to McCord.
“I love working at McCord,” she said. “I feel like I am back home. The atmosphere is so pleasant and loving, and the teachers are so caring. It’s like we are all one big happy family. I felt this way years ago and I have the same feelings now that I am back on this campus.”
Always an advocate for her students, Denise wishes there was a way Vernon ISD could have all Special Needs students at their age appropriate campus.
“I would love to see our Special Needs students be on each of their age appropriate campuses with their non-disabled peers,” she said. “I have observed negative effects of busing these kids from their home campuses. I would love to see them accepted on each of their campuses like the teachers and staff accept my Life Skills students on McCord’s campus.”
Denise was married to Wiley Thomas Jr., who died in August of 2009. They had three adopted children, Abby, Kaitlyn and Wiley. On March 21, 2023, Denise adopted Mason Gene Thomas.
Spending time with her family, friends, and church family is what Denise loves to do when she is not in the classroom.