DENISE CLEMENS

Denise Clemens | SD EPSCoR STEM Teacher Leaders

Hello!  I am Denise Clemens and I teach at Northwestern High School. I am currently in my 24th year of teaching.  I continue to teach because I still have a passion for science and for education.  I’m blessed to be in a career that I enjoy and really feel privileged to be a part of.  My goal is to create avid learners that never stop questioning the world around us.  I have taught Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science, Conceptual Chemistry, Anatomy/Physiology, Applied Math and other Math courses.  When asked what my favorite is, I have no answer.  I love the variety and challenges all science courses have to offer.  I find it fascinating that the world of science and of learning is not stagnant, it is constantly adding new dimensions and new worlds to explore.

I am the head coach of the girls basketball team (Go Wildcats!), advisor to the Robotics team and FCA Huddle, mentor to the Science Bowl team and advisor to students with Science Fair projects.  I have also had the privilege of taking several students to Boundary Waters Wilderness Canoe Area over the past twenty years.  My spare time can find me spending time with my family, enjoying the outdoors or finding new ways to challenge myself.   I believe we are all given gifts that we are to utilize and my goal is that, through the science classroom, I can help students recognize their gifts and give them the confidence to use them.