Staff Spotlight
Jennifer O'Connell - 3rd Grade Teacher
Color - Green
Animal - Dog
Hobby - camping, boating, being with our granddaughters, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers
Food - Mexican
Drink - Propel
About me:
My husband Dennis and I just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. He recently retired from Grossenburg Implement and farms. We have two boys, Nick and Brandon. Nick, his wife Ali, and their two daughters, Harper (2) and Paisley (4 months), live on a farm outside of Beresford. Nick works for Jensen Insurance in Beresford. Our youngest son Brandon and his girlfriend Tiana live in Vermillion. He teaches, coaches, and is the athletic director for the Gayville-Volin School District.
Why did you choose education?
I have always known that I wanted to be a teacher. I have been fortunate to have several teachers in my life that had a positive impact on me, but there are two that stand out. My 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Bonte’s love of learning and strong desire to make an impact in the lives of her students inspired me to become a teacher. She is the reason I double majored in Elementary Education and Special Education at USD (Go Yotes!). I then had an amazing student teaching experience here in Centerville in Roxanne Evans’ first grade classroom. She taught me what type of teacher I wanted to be. I was hired by the Centerville School District after completing my student teaching experience. I just started my 30th year in the district (Go Tornadoes)!