Online Education Teacher: Let's Do This!

When I began my teaching career 13 years ago, my mantra was “Let’s do this!”

I was ready to conquer the world!

Help students achieve success!

Build student leaders!

Develop independent thinkers!

And I did…

After teaching in the brick and mortar setting for twelve years, I had conquered it all. I marked everything off my teacher bucket list.

Build relationships with hundreds and hundreds of students and families - check

Make a name for myself in my district - check

Write curriculum - check

Mentor student teachers - check

Serve as team leader - check

Chair committees - check

Win District Teacher of the Year - check

I should have been content, happy, satisfied, and ready to conquer more.

But I wasn’t…

I needed something.

I was missing something. So I began searching…

my soul

my heart

my mind…

to find the missing piece.

And I found it!

It was with me the whole time, but I was missing it.

Life.

Family.

Love.

I needed to be home.

But I struggled. I knew leaving the classroom wasn’t going to be the answer. I loved my students, teaching, and making a difference in my community.  So what did I do?

I said goodbye to my high school …

and said hello to…

My new world!

Looking at my family and my computer, I said, “Let’s do this!”

I look back at my journey so far and have no regrets. This experience is amazing. I work with top-notch teachers from all over the globe.

My life now consists of…

Daily interaction with students and teachers via Skype

Class Connect sessions

Study Hall

Newsletters

Clubs

Organizations

Virtual Field Trips

K-mails

Through all of these experiences and interactions, I am able to connect and bond with my students on a personal level.  This was proven to me at the end of the school year after I received dozens of affirmations from my students and parents.  Here is a poem that was sent to me by one of my students.

Mrs. O'Donnell is the best.

She will never give you less

She will help you with non-mastered tests

She even helps you with History essays though she is an English teacher

She will never let you down

I want her to live in my town,

She will always welcome you with a guiding hand and say go to the holding room I am working with Courtney right now. Because she understands all of our differences and never will back down!!!!!!!!!

My life at home has been equally the “best.” Serving as my daughter’s room mom, the yearbook chair, the school photographer, a field trip volunteer, etc.,

These things ignited my fire that was needed as a mom.

And just when I think life couldn’t get any better…

Life surprises me.

My daughter asked if she could attend my school.

My answer….

“Let’s do this.”