Denise Zerella

Interview by Elizabeth Rodriguez

 

What is your position at Plaza College?
I am a Professor and teach both the associate’s and bachelor level students. I teach in the Information Technology Department and Liberal Arts.  My specialty is communication, presentation skills and PowerPoint.

Where did you grow up, primarily, and where did you attend college? What degrees do you hold?
I grew up in Ozone Park, New York.  I earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Instructional Technology.  I’m currently pursuing a 2nd Masters in Homeland Security at Long Island University.  

Did you always want to be a teacher? If not what was your original career goal?
No, I had no clue I would ever be a teacher.  I really didn’t have an original career goal.  I graduated high school in the 70’s and the career path for a woman at that time was to become a clerical worker or secretary, which is what I did.

If you had a different career prior to becoming a teacher what was it and why did you change careers?
My career started when I took a civil service exam to be a clerical employee working for the NYC Police Department (the position was called Police Administrative Aid).  After 8 years I was persuaded by my colleagues to take the Police Officer exam, which I did and passed. I was a Police Officer for 20 years until I retired in 2002. 

How long have you been teaching?
17 years

How long have you been teaching at Plaza?
7 years

Describe your experience so far at Plaza College.
My experience at Plaza College has expanded and grown since my first year here. I started out as an adjunct professor and then converted to full-time status. I have been appointed to several committees, coordinated workshops for graduation speakers, and have been the lead instructor for Medical Externship class since it was developed in 2006.  The Medical Externship was the first online class at Plaza College that I taught and currently still teach. 

I am sure you looked into other schools. Why did you choose Plaza?
I chose Plaza due to location and also the fact that it was a smaller school as opposed to St. John’s where I was also a teacher. The staff at Plaza has always been warm and friendly.  I enjoy the diversity of the student population and the many challenges that it brings.

How was your first day working at Plaza?
I was nervous not knowing what to expect.  Campus Cruiser was the most challenging thing to learn and maneuver around.  After my first semester Dean Dolla told me that I was one of the top faculty members that utilized Campus Cruiser the most.

What advice would you give the students of Plaza? (especially returning students who juggle work, a family and school)
My advice would be to try to remain focused.  Establish a suitable setting in your home where all of your study materials will be available to you at any given moment. This is to eliminate time that it would take to move your books and notes from one place to another.  Create a daily planner with times when assignments are to be completed in a day and/or week.  This will help you balance your school, work and family life.  Try to eliminate those things in your day that can waste your time, such as unnecessary talking on the telephone or texting.

List three of your most important/proudest accomplishments (personal or school related).
1) Appointed as a NYC Police Officer and serving the city for 20 years – most memorable
2) Running 5 NYC Marathons (26.2 mi) – completing all of them
3) Earning my Master’s Degree

What are some aspects of your position that you like?
I like the information exchange I have with my colleagues, laughing with them and enjoying each day and the special events at Plaza, such as Graduation.  I’ve met some really good people here at Plaza whom I now call friends - we are like a family. Now, I understand why some students obtain a full time job at Plaza after graduation. I like to call it “the Plaza experience.” You have to be in it to know it.

Has there been a specific moment in your teaching career where you felt you made the right career choice?
Yes, when students mention to me that I’ve impacted their lives. They tell me they are more confident now than before they attended my class. Some students have told me three semesters later how they enjoyed my class, and how they are applying the information they learned at work or in their everyday life. This is what makes teaching at Plaza all worthwhile, even the tough semesters.

What does success mean to you?
Setting goals and accomplishing them within the timeframe I establish. 

What motivates you to put forth your best effort toward helping Plaza students?
When students achieve a good grade or pass an important required state exam then I know they listened to what I’ve said in class and applied it. This makes me proud of them and I know they will achieve their goals because they apply what they learned and put their minds to it.

How would you describe yourself?
Funny, humorous, witty, sarcastic, tart at times, but you have to know me to love me.

Tell us about the funniest/most embarrassing moment in your life so far.
Many years ago, I was at a restaurant, and there was a candle on the table.  Somehow my napkin caught on fire from the flame of the candle. I threw the napkin on the floor and stomped on it with my shoe. At that time most shoes had rubber soles, so then my shoe caught on fire.  I was then stomping my shoe trying to put the flame out while my foot was catching on fire.  It just wouldn’t go out. The entire restaurant stopped what they were doing and just stared at me. My friends were hysterical and couldn’t stop laughing. It was like a scene from a movie - very embarrassing, but very funny at the same time.

Tell us something about your life outside the classroom. Do you have any interesting hobbies?
Exercise has always been part of my daily routine. In the past, I ran many marathons; unfortunately, I don’t run them anymore. But, I still maintain a daily fitness routine, by going to the gym or walking. My new passion is Yoga. I just love it – it’s relaxing, and at the same time I’m stretching my body.   

I also love researching restaurants in order to try different foods, and then critique them. I enjoy cultural events such as the theater, museums and art galleries.

Do you cook and if so what is your best dish?
Yes, I do cook; my best dish is chicken soup, Italian style.  I do have to say it is delicious.

What is the most interesting place you have traveled to? (describe)
Quebec City, Canada – The cobble stone streets were narrow, which allowed you to  see the quaint shops on both sides of the street. The history of Quebec was most interesting, and I enjoyed listening to the locals speak French.

Do you have any secret hidden talents?
I play piano, love to sing, and performed as an extra actor in several movies.

Is there a movie/song that still makes you cry?
Two movies I can think of:  1) Driving Miss Daisy 2) Marley and Me

Do you have any pets? (name and breed and how long you have had the pet)
No, I only had tropical fish and canaries as a child. 

Give us a look into the world of Ms. Zerella as a college student. (mention any clubs, societies, sororities, sports, what did you excel in, shy, out-going, did you work while going to school?)
I was the first member of my family to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree followed by masters. The only reason why I continued with my education was because I completed a 6 month training program at the Police Academy, earning 32 credits towards a degree within the criminal justice field. My mentor at work persuaded me to finish my Associate’s degree in Police Science. I did and also decided to further my education and soon obtained a Bachelors degree. I worked full time as a cop on the beat – walking the streets of Manhattan all along 42nd St and 8th Avenue, which at that time was full of prostitutes, porn shops, drug dealers, etc. as opposed to how it looks today, like Disneyland. After my shift, I would attend my classes. As a cop, my work hours rotated; 7:00 am to 3:35 pm, or 12:00 midnight to 8:00 am, or 4:00 pm to 11:30 pm. My days off changed, depending on the last shift I worked, which made it quite difficult to work full time and also attend classes, but I did it. My career changed while I was a cop. I went from walking a street beat, to teaching at the Police Academy. I was part of a unit that taught police instructors how to teach.  The Police Academy is where my career as a teacher all started. I knew then that when I retired from the Police Department, my new career path would either lead me to teach adults or college students.  This is when I also decided to further my education by pursuing a Master of Science in Instructional Technology. My family couldn’t believe I accomplished earning two degrees, since I was always very shy and never had the ambition in high school.  I’ve made them proud and have my late father to thank for my success today. He was my inspiration and motivator.   

What was your favorite song as a teenager? (and now, who sings it )
Any Motown song, or if you watch the movie Forest Gump – all of the songs that were played in that movie.

Describe your most rewarding experience at Plaza.
My most rewarding experience at Plaza is teaching the Emergency Preparedness component within the Medical Assisting practicum program. The MA students take this course during their externship and can fully understand how the materials apply to their work environment.  As a former first responder during 9/11, I share my experience with them of how important it is to be prepared for any type of disaster on a personal level and at the workplace.

What do you think is the key to Plaza’s success?
The support faculty receives from the administrators and the dedicated faculty that teach at Plaza is the key to their success.