Her Story
About Denise
Denise Rodriguez is an education and community training professional serving as an Employee and Community Education Instructor at Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette in Salem, Oregon. In her current role, she provides education and training to employees and community members across areas such as health and wellness, financial management, professional development, leadership development, and other workplace and life-skills topics. She also facilitates onboarding training for new employees and teaches participants in Goodwill’s High School Diploma program, helping provide educational opportunities to individuals who did not previously complete their diploma.
Before joining Goodwill, Denise spent several years in public education with Salem-Keizer Public Schools, teaching English and Language Arts to students across multiple grade levels, including sixth, seventh, and ninth grade. Her teaching experience included working with ESL students and collaborating in co-taught English classrooms. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education and Teaching from Western Oregon University after completing an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies at Chemeketa Community College, where she received academic recognition for the Honor Roll. She is also CPR certified and was formerly a member of the Oregon Teachers Association and National Education Association.
Denise’s commitment to education and community service extends beyond the classroom. During college, she volunteered with unhoused individuals in Portland by providing clothing and hygiene items and worked with community churches to distribute toys to children during Christmas and support food banks during Thanksgiving. She attributes her success to the support and experiences provided by her family and approaches her work and relationships with honesty, compassion, understanding, and integrity. Her advice to those beginning their careers reflects her own approach to growth: remain curious, absorb as much knowledge as possible, and use those experiences to determine what works best for you.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Denise
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success first and foremost to my family. My family life and home life were not always the happiest, but the people who have been part of my life have given me experiences that made me stronger. Their support and the lessons I gained from those experiences have helped me throughout both my education and my career, and I would not be where I am today without them.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Some of the best career advice I have received came from my former mentor teachers, Lori Kane and Kim McCoy. Their guidance and example had a meaningful influence on my development as an educator and helped shape the way I approached both teaching and my professional growth. They taught me the importance of learning from those around me, remaining open to new perspectives, and developing an approach that is authentic to who I am.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
When you are first starting your career, be like a sponge and absorb as much information as you possibly can. Learning from others gives you the opportunity to understand different approaches and determine what works best for you. Take in as much knowledge and experience as you can, and then thoughtfully filter out what does not align with your own needs, strengths, and goals. That process of learning and finding your own approach will serve you well throughout your career.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I see is that when you work with a community, you sometimes hear and witness the many struggles people are experiencing, and you genuinely want to do more to help. However, there are times when your role, available resources, or the resources within the community itself limit what you can provide. It can be difficult to see someone struggling and not have the ability or resources to give them the support they need.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are honesty, compassion, understanding, and integrity. I believe that whatever values a person holds, they should remain committed to those principles and carry them consistently into both their professional and personal lives.
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