Kiel O'donnell

Mr. O'donnell has truly changed my life and my view on social studies. Growing up, I wasn't into Social Studies and had little to no interest in the subject. This year I entered the eighth grade and was placed into Mr. O'donnell's Social Studies class. I assumed it would be another year talking about slavery uncomfortably or not at all, and about how George Washington was the first president. Somehow M. O'Donnell has managed to change my whole perspective on the word "history." He makes you want to actually come to school knowing that you're going to know the real information on racism, and the presidents. Things you never knew until you stepped foot into his classroom. Whether we are sitting in class watching a funny rap video based on Manifest Destiny(which I never heard of until his class) or it's making creative posters as a test grade instead of making us sit there and take tests all the time. When we do have a test or quiz, you are guaranteed to get a decent grade because he has engraved it in your head. In a good way of course. He doesn't teach it once and then make us take a test, or teach up to the day of the assessment, no! He funds fun, inclusive ways to teach us. He has come up with games like Social Studies Four Corners or Social Studies Seven Up. No matter what it is, I'm not falling asleep in class. I'm paying total attention. Mr. O'donnell is not scared to teach the real stuff. Mr. O'donnell deserves this because he teaches us in a way that completely sets us up for a successful future. He has truly made learning a memorable experience, and I can't imagine a more deserving nominee for this recognition.

Alana S