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Teacher Feature
Cathy O’Connor, Life Skills, Teen Parenting and Leadership Teacher, Putnam City Academy
Cathy O’Connor, a 25-year teaching veteran, has dedicated the past decade to her students and their families at Putnam City Academy, the district’s alternative high school for at-risk students. Below, O’Connor explains how she helps students find resilience and hope in Life Skills, Teen Parenting and Leadership classes.
I have a deep love for children and that love has been a guiding light in my life and career. When I first held my newborn son I promised him I would not forget what it was like to be a child. When I held my newborn daughter I promised to be the best mom I could possibly be. When my friend’s daughter was dying from cancer I promised that dear child I would dedicate my life to serving children.
I began my teaching career at Warm World School, a wonderful pre-school at Church of the Servant in northwest Oklahoma City. I taught 4 year olds and served as director of the school for 10 years. This truly warm beginning molded my “whole child” philosophy for educating children of any age. I believe it is the whole child that enters my classroom, not just a brain in a seat, but a person whose body, mind and spirit are present.
Teaching in Putnam City Schools and at Putnam City Academy was a “God thing.” When I show up and listen, God points the doors out to me. I was listening when an opportunity opened at Putnam City Academy.
Many of my students today have trouble learning in school because of life situations outside of the classroom. I try to create a safe, encouraging and mutually respectful environment that helps them let their guard down and open their minds to learn. I am blessed with the ability to see the good in each of my students, and I do my best to hold a mirror up for them to see that goodness as well.
My favorite thing about teaching my students is developing relationships with students. I am a cheerleader for them. I motivate and encourage, and I deeply care about them. I love when we laugh together and even when we cry together. I am not a professional counselor, but I have a heart for compassionate listening. They trust me with their struggles, with painful experiences, and with their fears. On more than one occasion I have been the first to hear a deep secret of abuse and have walked my student into the hands of a counselor to begin the healing process. I celebrate their victories and highlight their subtle changes. This is what I love most about being a teacher. I am an agent of change and a cheerleader for hope.
I love students for who they are. I don’t make judgments about the choices they have made to this point in their lives. I don’t preach to them or “should” them. I talk openly, honestly and frankly about the things they are dealing with – chaotic families, drugs, sexuality and their choices. I listen to them I listen to their opinions, their experiences and their understandings. I share my concerns and my own experiences. I speak respectfully and offer them grace. I try to understand why they behave the way they do, and I never believe that any of my students are bad. I look for the good and build on strengths. I am usually calm and collected when dealing with students in my classroom. There isn’t much that shocks me anymore. I knock on wood when I say that, though!
My classes involve students in community service. I want them to know that they can make a difference in someone else’s life and that there are others whose situations are equally challenging if not more challenging than their own. It is a wonderful thing for me to see my students, many of whom have very little of their own and have uncertain hope for their own future, find great joy in giving.
We recently visited the 10th floor of Children’s Hospital where little ones stay while undergoing treatments for many ailments, including cancer. My little group of five students was touched by the passionate staff serving those children and shaken by the reality of life-and-death situations faced by little ones. They raised $500 to purchase toys and a Wii for a toy closet on that hospital floor! My students don’t have a Wii. They would love to have a Wii, but giving one so those little ones can have some fun exercise during their long days has brightened my students lives!
When we do service projects my students receive many gifts: confidence, competence, purpose and a new perspective on their own situations. Service projects are good for all, including the community, the receiver and the giver…but especially the giver.
One of my favorite lessons to do with my students is at the end of our study of Eric Erikson’s eight stages of human development. Students create a personal timeline that is 80 inches long covering an average human life span of 80 years. They divide it into the eight stages of life and add marker events that have been a part of their own history. I then have them project into their future and place events, goals and accomplishments to come. The best part is when I have them put their nose on their current age on the timeline and turn their head to look at the past. We review the challenges, growth and accomplishments of a live thus lived. They all think they have been on this planet for a very long time! THEN I have them turn their head to look into the future. There is always a gasp when the road ahead is so much longer than the road behind them. I then have them pull back and look at the 2-to 4-inch span that will conclude their education – 2 to 4 inches on their 80-inch timeline that will make a huge difference in their lives. It is an impressive visual for them.
For most teen mothers (but sadly, not all), their baby gives new meaning to their life. They make big changes and put their life back on track by making a commitment to their educational goals. They believe that their baby deserves a hope-filled future. They know that if Mom doesn’t graduate, her baby is at high risk of living in poverty for the rest of his or her life. I think it is paramount that we support these young parents in completing their education. Equally important is helping them strengthen the bond with their baby.
I am proud that our district supports these young parents by providing a nursery while they work hard in school. The nursery provides care for the child and mentoring for the mom. It is staffed by wonderful women who go the extra mile to help these young parents. One of them was a teen mother in our school. She graduated eight years ago and has completed her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood education. I am really, really proud of her!
 A dream that I have had for several years came true this year. I enlisted the help of many in our community to create a “Baby Store” for teen mothers and fathers. These young parents earn points through attendance, grades and behavior. With these points they can purchase things for their baby such as diapers, wipes, bottles, clothing, books and many other items donated to our store. At Christmas generous donors made it possible for them to “buy” new Discovery Toys and beautiful outfits to make their baby’s first Christmas a special one. I love this project because Mom and Dad can earn things for their baby. They get the good feeling of being a provider and they are motivated to do well in school. It is a good thing for all. If anyone reading this article would like to be a part of this project, please contact me through my email at coconnor@putnamcityschools.org. It truly does take a village to raise a child and help keep moms and dads in school.
When do I feel successful? I feel successful when a graduated mom returns with her little one to see me the night before his first day in kindergarten. I feel successful when a student wants to work in foster care because she knows it from the inside and wants other children to have it better than she did, or when another student wants to work as a counselor in the sex crimes unit because she knows how it feels to be violated and wants to make a difference. I feel successful when a student understands the roles of a dysfunctional family and sees the role he plays, and when another one recognizes the cycle of abuse in her relationships. I feel successful when a student chooses me as the person who made the greatest impact on her life and invites me to her wedding; when another graduates from college and pursues her passion to work with young children; and when another says “Mrs. O’Connor likes everybody. ” Those are moments I feel successful.
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