Masayi JOHNSON

I chose to make the portrait of a wonderful woman, my Biology teacher, Dr Maria DELL. She is undoubtedly one of the best teachers at SMC. I have been trying to take her class for three semesters; all her students love her!

Dr DELL has been teaching at SMC since 1998.She graduated from the Health Science Center of the University of OKLAHOMA.
Studying was not that easy for her since, as a Puerto Rican, English was not her first language. Despite the language barrier, she succeeded in school and obtained her PHD in Anatomy.

To the question, what does she like most about her work, she kindly answered “the students”. She also added that, “having students come back and tell me that they succeeded with what I have taught them is definitely a career reward”. Surprisingly, there is nothing my biology teacher likes least about her work.

Dr DELL explained that it was very challenging to be a female instructor, especially in College and Graduate School, where most instructors are male. But this doesn’t bother her at all, it is rather the opposite, she works hard to serve as a role model to young women students. She “definitely” encourages them to work hard. For those students who would like to follow in her path, in Science, Dr Dell advises they take as many mathematics classes and science classes as possible, and also not to be afraid of asking questions whenever there is something they don’t understand.

Being a teacher has been a childhood dream Dr Dell finally realized .If she hadn’t been a teacher, Dr Dell would have chosen to be a mother. And so is she. Dr Dell told me in a tone full of love that she is the mother of two wonderful boys of 13 and 9. She enjoys following their career in soccer, basketball, and baseball, which they add to their gift of playing piano.

Besides teaching Dr Dell really loves reading; she also enjoys sewing, but unfortunately she doesn’t have much time to so. She said to be hooked on American Idol, and that she really loves Shopping!
Dr Maria DELL should definitely be considered as a role model for all the young women. She is really a wonderful person, a loving mother, and undoubtedly a great teacher!

Masayi JOHNSON is a student at Santa Monica College, and the Focus on SMC Section Editor.