One of our newest staff additions to Woodland Spring, Mr. O’Neil, teaches computer science. When asked the question, what interests you in computer science, he answered saying, “I have always enjoyed learning how things work; psychology, anatomy, ecosystem, etc. and then technology, because it is everything around us that helps us extend our capabilities. Almost everything that we use on a daily basis began with a form of computer science.”

When there are teachers there are also students! When asked about his favorite part about being a teacher, he said, “My favorite part of being a teacher is helping others and passing on knowledge so they can improve their life.” Mr. O’Neil likes to spread his knowledge and one way he does that is by assigning projects to his students. When asked about his favorite project that he has done with his students so far, he responded with, “Computer Science classes are currently learning different coding languages (6th Grade - Web Design HTML, 7th Grade - Java Script, 8th Grade - Python). I think all of these small projects are fun because it helps us understand how websites, apps, and everything works.”

Now that we’ve heard all his favorite things about being a teacher, we wonder if this was his plan all along. When asked if he had always planned on becoming a teacher, he said, “I was going to school to be a mechanical engineer at first, but then switched to teaching. I have also owned a couple of small businesses and am fulfilled when I use my skills to help others.” Mr. O’Neil has been a teacher for almost 18 years, and has taught at middle school, high school, and college levels. We are so lucky to have him at Woodland Spring Middle School.

Written by: Hadley Caldwell (8) and Rowan Conry (8)