Meg O’Donnell

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1988

Current job title and employer and briefly describe what it is you do: I am a proud middle school teacher, and have been teaching this age group for over 25 years at Shelburne Community School in Shelburne, VT. The majority of my teaching career has been as a generalist, integrating problem solving, critical thinking and communication skills across multiple disciplines. I currently teach humanities to seventh and eighth graders.

Academic experience at Saint Michael's College help prepare you for your career: I attribute my passion of lifelong learning to the liberal arts education I received at St. Michael’s College. I was an “undeclared” major for a while, as I dabbled in Business Administration and English before finding my way to and falling in love with History. I believe without that opportunity to explore different fields I might not have developed an affinity for the process of learning, of figuring out what feels relevant and meaningful and taking deep dives into an area of focus. That idea of exploration, and learning what is enduring and meaningful is absolutely what drives me as an educator. That, of course, and relationships. The meaningful relationships forged at St. Michael’s sustains me to this day. Not just the relationships with friends (I married my best friend Mark Joyce, ’87, and have many close lifelong friends I remain connected to) but the mentoring from professors fostered an important partnership in my learning. I am forever grateful to Norb Kuntz for embodying everything I hope to be as an educator: engaging, compassionate, wise, funny, and humble. He was a gem. He and wife Sue Kuntz, who continues to be an educational mentor of mine, are cherished influences in my life.

Other information you would like to share or advice for incoming or current students: I feel doubly blessed, as I continue to be connected to St. Michael’s College through my professional relationship with the education department. I am part of the Middle Grades Collaborative of Vermont, a collaborative of higher-ed institutions and practitioners, who focus on providing professional development for middle school educators. I also have the good fortune to mentor undergraduate and graduate education students. The St. Michael’s students I have mentored over the years are exceptional educators; they bring enthusiasm, resilience and humor to the classroom. Having student interns infuses energy and new ideas into the classroom and into my practice. My students benefit from their ideas, compassion and perspective. I have watched these interns go off and embark on their educational teaching journeys, further spreading the benefits of an excellent education to young minds.