Mark O'Connor

Teaching at McKeesport was the most challenging and rewarding career imaginable. From the first day until the last there were literally fights in school and acts of violence outside of school, but as a district we persevered. Not everyone can teach, and fewer still could work and thrive in an environment like McKeesport. For the breadth of my career every level of student sat in my classroom and learned something of value. Whether the class size was over thirty, which it was for the vast majority of us at the high school, to the small Special Ed classes of twelve to eighteen the students were people first, then students. Relationships matter in situations where the students often do not have positive home environments. The classes were safe spaces for the kids and all ideas were listened to and respected, and that mattered to them and me. Rarely did admin get involve in any classroom situation aside from the occasional fight. I pulled students aside and talked to them like adults, I called home when needed and always gave students the space to voice their concerns about both the school and the community. lastly, Covid exposed just how drastically different education is funded and appreciated in the world. We met kids where they were when they returned and they needed to back in school, surrounded by people who cared about them.

I worked in books stores while in grad school and for many years early in my career. I liked working with people who enjoyed literature, and Ias able to work on school assignments and grade papers. I also got to read and was paid while doing it!