Dear Editor:
My Name is Kathi O’Donoghue. I grew up next door in Tewksbury but remember fondly walking the streets of Wilmington for many years as a kid campaigning for everyone’s favorite State Representative Jimmy Micelli. Ten years ago I ran a Christmas gift and supplies drive at the school where I taught to collect items to send overseas to our troops specifically many of my past students. The drive was so successful we ended up passing along almost 60 large boxes to Local Heroes here in Wilmington to send to the young men and women deployed from this community as well and that is where I rekindled my love for this area and decided to move here to raise my son Sean.
I have dedicated the last thirty years to being a public school teacher. I substitute taught on and off for years at Shawsheen Technical High School where I was fortunate enough to be hired as the reportedly the first ever graduate by my own high school teacher, and now school principal, Bob Kanellas who encouraged me to become multi-certified in English Language Arts, social studies, and history. At Shawhseen I was hired to be the Tech Prep Coordinator brokering Articulation Agreements with local colleges for vocational students so their college fees could be reduced and enable them to seek further education. I knew even then I enjoyed helping others access good education and the importance of giving back to others.
I went on to teach high school in a nearby city for twelve years and during that time I was heavily involved in scheduling committees, hiring panels, NEASC Curriculum Chairperson, After School Program Director, and participate in countless Department of Education initiatives throughout the years. I was sought out and hired by the state’s Regional Employment Board to oversee a multi-million dollar grant to assist students with their Connecting Activities Program assisting students with identifying trade opportunities , job shadows, internships, college courses, training programs, and making them available to thousands of students over eight years. It was this love of seeing students reinvigorated with education and recognizing trades that they would flourish within that made me seek out and acquire my Vocational Director’s License. I have been hired by the Laborer’s Bureau of Training to create accessible, cross-curricula, and OSHA based curriculum that has now been implemented across their training program. I understand better than anyone that education looks different to many of us and have been a strong proponent for nontraditional education for twenty years and will continue to champion this path of learning for all our students who seek it out.
I have spent my last eight years as a middle school Special Inclusion teacher responsible for implementing and overseeing students with 504’s and IEP’s. My duties include attending the appropriate meetings with parents, teachers, aides, and administration to ensure accommodations modifications, were all being honored, and we were legally in compliance with each child’s needs. As a parent if a middle school student with learning disabilities I have seen mistakes made and paid a dear price for them personally. I promise to be available and empathetic to anyone in our district who needs someone to be their advocate for their child should they also feel the same. While employed as a teacher I was encouraged to train and receive both my middle and high school principal license, but have waited so I could focus upon my own child while he explores the confusing middle school years. It is this trust in my pedagogical experience, work ethic, strong sense of advocacy, and professional reputation in my city that allowed me to be hired as the Mentor Coordinator and be responsible for coordinating and overseeing the training of up to 60 new teachers a school year. I understand the day-to-day needs, challenges, and expectations of a classroom teacher today and what changes are occurring in education. As a teacher for two decades I can identify what expectations are realistic and achievable. I am confident that this in-depth, hands-on experience with many grades, learning abilities, special education law, DESE initiatives, comprehension of numerous curriculums, and demographics is what the Wilmington School system needs to provide insight and genuine reflection towards moving forward with the changes I may have already seen put into action firsthand at my employment. As a Massachusetts Teachers Association Union representative , or board member, for seventeen years I have been entrusted with contract negotiations, hiring issues, staff grievances, and acting as a liaison for parents, staff, coaches, and administration. I was hand-picked my past union president to “adapt” the recent Teacher Evaluation System rather than “adopt” due to my familiarity of the contract and ability to act in a fair and equitable manner for all parties. This in addition to being a certified paralegal provide me with a legal training none of our other candidates can boast of having and will be an asset to navigating many complex legal issues our school committee faces.
I think we all know that our school system is in great need of change and guidance. The face of education and our town is changing and someone who works in this field would be a practical and beneficial source in helping us navigate the necessary changes we need to accomplish in our community. I ask for your vote this April 22 if you want to have someone who has dedicated their life towards education, will be an empathetic ear for your concerns and will be a strong advocate for your children, then vote for me Kathi O’Donoghue. Please visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-o-donoghue-52b52099/ to learn more about my credentials, experience, and accomplishments or visit https://www.facebook.com/ODONOGHUEFORWILMINGTON.
Warmest Regards,
Kathi O’Donoghue
Like Wilmington Apple on Facebook. Follow Wilmington Apple on Twitter. Follow Wilmington Apple on Instagram. Subscribe to Wilmington Apple’s daily email newsletter HERE. Got a comment, question, photo, press release, or news tip? Email wilmingtonapple@gmail.com.
Wilmington Apple 