Problem-solver: OBMS algebra teacher treasures 'aha' moments

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

Most of the time, Natalie Demchak said she tries to fly under the radar.

But that's not easy to do now that she's been named Ormond Beach Middle School's Teacher of the Year. It's a nomination that makes her feel both happy and nervous. Through the process, she has become aware of her own accomplishments. In the past, she said she's felt she hasn't been involved with many projects and programs, but looking back at the list — which includes being named the 2020 Florida Mathcounts Coach of the Year by the Florida Engineering Society — she realized she needs to give herself more credit.

"I feel very proud and appreciative that my peers nominated me and chose me to represent Ormond Beach Middle school," Demchak said. "I didn't expect it."

Her love of teaching started when she was a teenager. She was asked to tutor both her peers and younger students in math, and she found she liked being able to show them how to solve problems. Outside of academics, Demchak also taught horseback riding, and she enjoyed watching how people progressed on the field and built up their confidence. Both of these experiences contributed to her decision to become a teacher.

"I was often told I explained things well so I knew I must be good at teaching," Demchak said. "Enjoying helping others and knowing I was good at it steered me towards teaching."

Now on her 19th year of her career, Demchak teaches eighth grade pre-algebra math as well as seventh and eighth grade algebra 1 honors. Her favorite thing about teaching are the "aha" moments, she said — she loves them. It doesn't matter if she's teaching a students to understand new concepts or furthering a more advanced student's thinking, when that moment happens, as a teacher, "you know," she said.

If there was one piece of advice she could share with her students, it would be simply to listen.

"Listen to your peers, communication is important," Demchak said. "Listen to your elders, they have way more experience and can help you to not make the same mistakes they may have."