Hi there! My name is McKenzie Pineda, and this is my fourth year as an educator. I am certified to teach 7th-12th English and Language Arts. This forthcoming year will be my first year teaching at JECA, and I couldn't be more excited and honored. I am a 2017 graduate of the Judson Early College Academy, and I am thrilled to be a part of the institution that inspired me to become an educator. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Schreiner University in 2020. Shortly after my “Zoom graduation,” I started my teaching career during the peak of the pandemic. My teaching journey has been anything but simple; however, through the chaos, I learned the importance of resilience and empathy. I am looking forward to a year filled with collaboration, creativity, and progress. 

When I am not teaching, I enjoy reading thrillers, watching musicals (Funny Girl is my favorite), pretending to be a Star Baker off of the Great British Baking Show, embroidering like a Renaissance grandma, and living vicariously through the cast of Derry Girls.