Teacher Credential 1968; Member of Dean’s Advisory Board
School of Education
March 1, 2010
Crystal Kochendorfer initiated her higher education studies at University of Southern California (USC) as a Sociology major. Upon graduation she was employed as a social worker by Los Angeles County. In recalling those days, she comments,
As a social worker, I saw people poorly educated and ill prepared for life. This realization led me back to the classroom and teaching. I knew that if I taught children to read, I would help them unlock the doors to life long learning and independence.
Ms. Kochendorfer, as one of three students who enrolled in UC Irvine in 1967 seeking a teaching credential, has the distinction of being a member of the first class to graduate from the newly-established program.
At that time the Department of Education was called the Office of Teacher Education and was a sub-division of the School of Social Sciences. We were required to select a major in Social Sciences, and I selected Social Psychology and attended classes with Ph.D. candidates. Dr. Kenneth Bailey, the sole Education Professor, taught the education courses and supervised our independent study.
At the time, I didn’t realize how fortunate we were, how brilliant and caring this man was. We three students would gather for dinner, sometimes in graduate housing, and the evening would be spent discussing our readings and talking about the profession of education, just the four of us.
The university looked completely different then: Immature trees and few buildings gave the campus a stark appearance. You could name every building. Parking was never a problem.
Ms. Kochendorfer did her student teaching at Top of the World School (TOW) in Laguna Beach the year it opened and was able to participate in developing a model program of team teaching and differentiated staffing. Following receipt of her credential, Ms. Kochendorfer taught at both Top of the World and at Van Buren Elementary in Placentia.
With the birth of her first child, Ms. Kochendorfer combined child-rearing and a career in interior design, which gave her the flexible hours to devote to her young children. Once they started school, she began volunteering in their classrooms and was able to incorporate her teaching experience into her children’s school. In due course, she developed and implemented a gifted and talented program, taught in the Junior Great Book program, tutored in the classroom, and served on the PTO/PTA and as PTO President for both elementary school and high school.
As her children advanced through the grades, Ms. Kochendorfer broadened her public service. She ran for and was elected to the Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) Board of Trustees and served for 18 years, including three terms as Board President. She served as President of the Orange County School Board Association, two years as the President of the Board of Trustees of the Capistrano-Laguna Beach Regional Occupational Program, and 15 years as a delegate to the California School Boards Association.
Ms. Kochendorfer’s expertise and leadership skills led to additional service opportunities, including Chair of the Children and Families Commission (First Five Commission of Orange County); membership on the California State Senate Select Committee on School Readiness; President of the Board of Directors for the Niguel Children’s Center; President of the Laguna Beach Girls Club Board of Directors; member of the South County Council of United Way; and member of the Advisory Board of Beta Foster Care.
During her years of service, Ms. Kochendorfer regularly communicated with her state and national congressional representatives. She was appointed by the President of California School Boards Association to join with their executive committee in representing school board members from California and traveling to Washington D.C., where they met with the Secretaries of Education, Health and Human Services, Labor and Transportation, and the Drug Czar.
Today Ms. Kochendorfer remains active in education, responding to requests from those who seek her advice and volunteering her time and experience for the benefit of children and youth. As a founding member of the Department of Education Leadership Council and an active member of the Children and Families Commission of Orange County, she contributes important perspectives to the Department’s focus on pre-K learning.
When asked what she would like to communicate to future educators, she emphasized the importance of recognizing that teaching is a profession.
Teachers should conduct themselves as professionals in their dress, in their actions, and in their instruction. Arrive at school fully prepared with lesson plans based on research-based strategies; communicate with colleagues, planning and teaching together when possible; take advantage of staff development opportunities; love and treasure your students; and maintain a sense of humor.