2002 Washington Teacher of the Year
Mr. McKay teaches the students in grades 9 through 12 at Aberdeen High School in Aberdeen, Washington. He has sixteen years of teaching experience.

What are your beliefs about teaching?
"Teaching is the most honorable and rewarding job in the whole world (second only to parenthood and being a spouse) because teachers affect the lives of children positively. We help change the world for the better, because we touch the lives of present and future generations."

How are your beliefs incorporated in your teaching style?
"Because I like my students, most of what I do settles on this particular idea – they comprehend my care for them and react positively to learning."

What is your greatest teaching accomplishment?
"My students, with a little help from me, have published two professionally made books and seven anthologies of their literature. We continue to publish books and so far all of them have been sell-outs."

What's the most critical issue facing educators today and what do you think can be done to resolve this issue?
"The most critical issue facing educators today is the ever increasing demands put upon us – these demands are different and new every year. To resolve this issue, we must learn to adapt, change and learn constantly. It's really just an "attitude thing". We also need better in-service training to face these challenges. It would also be nice to be fairly compensated for these increasing requirements."

Inspirational thought:
"Keep you eyes on the prize – student learning!"