I’m Miss O’Neill and I’m so excited to be a part of the St. Mary’s Family. I have been a lifetime parishioner of St. Mary’s. Even when I wasn’t living in Jackson I kept St. Mary’s as my home parish. I came home many weekends to spend time with my family and attend mass on Sundays at St. Mary’s.
My first experience teaching was while I was a student at Michigan State. I majored in Communication and worked at Eastminster Child Development Center. I loved teaching but didn’t think it was for me. The Holy Spirit obviously had different plans. After graduating I joined the Peace Corps and was fortunate to be placed in Menouba, Tunisia at L’institute National de Protection des L’Enfant (The National Institute for the Protection of Children). I won’t say it was easy but it was one of the best experiences in my life. The blessings far outweighed the challenges.
When I returned I still didn’t have a plan as to what to do with my Communications Degree. I applied to the University of Michigan’s Peace Fellows program and was one of 5 accepted. I taught in Detroit and received a Master’s in Education. I continued teaching in Detroit Public Schools for 12 years.
My mother’s death reminded me of how important the Jackson community was to me. I left DPS and worked at Jackson Arts and Technology Academy (JATA) as a Title 1 Director, Behavior Intervention Specialist, Curriculum Director, Program Manager, Summer School Director and Kindergarten Teacher. When JATA closed I worked for the Community Action Agency as a Head Start teacher, Education Supervisor and Supportive Services Manager.
All these experiences have reminded me of the importance of laying a solid foundation. This happens in kindergarten. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity at St. Mary’s, as my mother said, our family’s second home.
My first experience teaching was while I was a student at Michigan State. I majored in Communication and worked at Eastminster Child Development Center. I loved teaching but didn’t think it was for me. The Holy Spirit obviously had different plans. After graduating I joined the Peace Corps and was fortunate to be placed in Menouba, Tunisia at L’institute National de Protection des L’Enfant (The National Institute for the Protection of Children). I won’t say it was easy but it was one of the best experiences in my life. The blessings far outweighed the challenges.
When I returned I still didn’t have a plan as to what to do with my Communications Degree. I applied to the University of Michigan’s Peace Fellows program and was one of 5 accepted. I taught in Detroit and received a Master’s in Education. I continued teaching in Detroit Public Schools for 12 years.
My mother’s death reminded me of how important the Jackson community was to me. I left DPS and worked at Jackson Arts and Technology Academy (JATA) as a Title 1 Director, Behavior Intervention Specialist, Curriculum Director, Program Manager, Summer School Director and Kindergarten Teacher. When JATA closed I worked for the Community Action Agency as a Head Start teacher, Education Supervisor and Supportive Services Manager.
All these experiences have reminded me of the importance of laying a solid foundation. This happens in kindergarten. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity at St. Mary’s, as my mother said, our family’s second home.