McKenzie grew up in Southern California but has strong roots in Jackson. After spending many summers in the valley visiting family and working seasonal jobs, she made Jackson her permanent home in 2015. Her education career in Jackson began as a special education paraprofessional in the Dual Immersion Program at Jackson Elementary School, where she discovered a passion for helping young learners grow. She later spent seven years at Teton Literacy Center, teaching preschool, Practice Kindergarten, afterschool programs, and summer camps, while also leading staff training and professional development. McKenzie loves working with young learners because of their curiosity and enjoys bringing learning to life through great books, hands-on projects, and meaningful connections to the world around them. McKenzie is thrilled to be part of the Mountain Academy community and values the school’s commitment to place-based learning.
Outside of school, she enjoys exploring Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park through hiking and paddleboarding. She also loves reading, painting, traveling, and photography, and especially enjoys taking photos alongside her grandfather, a retired Los Angeles Times photojournalist.