Picture this – it’s a saddening Tuesday morning in geometry in Martinez’s 2nd period, and Mr. McConnell, our savior, gracefully glides into the room wearing his mustard colored beanie and a sage green backpack. He’s got his niche health drink in hand, and he’s ready to check up on all the students. He quickly puts away his bag and is ready to teach.
As he makes his rounds, he peers over the tables of yawning students and makes sure his students are getting what they’re supposed to be getting. Snuffling his laughter as a certain somebody swishes by. Mr. McConnell is a real strict vegan, he’s sipping questionable drinks while he listens to the students, patient and attentive. He’s a real problem solver.
If you’re struggling with math, have no fear – Mr. McConnell is here! He makes math tolerable during early math classes. His presence lightens the mood. His humor and patience is a delight in the classroom, helping many students go through geometry. Bless his heart.
Did you know that Mr. McConnell originally majored in psychology and was planning to become a psychologist? But after taking a couple classes, he realized that he was more drawn to the philosophy part of psychology. Mr. McConell planned to double major in feminist studies, and took all the prerequisites, but then studied abroad in Ireland for a year, and the credits didn’t transfer.
He was first introduced to teaching by a friend who suggested that he sub for some money after being laid off. He worked in Palmdale in Southern California.
There he decided that he wanted to become a full time teacher and SFUSD had a program that would help him get his teaching certification. He did his training and Mission was one of the schools that he was interested in because it was advertised as an antiracist school. Mission was the school that decided to hire him.
To him, philosophy and teaching are very similar.
“There’s not really that much difference between philosophy and teaching, because philosophy literally means ‘love of knowledge’ – ‘phil’ means love and ‘sophos’ means knowledge, so being a teacher you have to love to learn, and you have to also love to teach.”
In his free time, Mr. McConnell likes to do CrossFit and meditate. He also plays guitar in a band called “The Ice Cream Men,” where they cover Van Halen songs.
He’s vegan and loves Chinese, Thai, and Indian food, with Thai being his absolute favorite! Mr. McConell is currently watching Dragon Ball, not to be confused with Dragon Ball Z.
His favorite book is I Am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj, a meditation book. Mr. McConell meditates every day.
McConell is a Scorpio Sun, Libra rising, and a Taurus Moon.
Mr. McConnell is excited to finish the year strong and hopes to see his 12th graders graduate. He’s been with them for three years since geometry, and it’s clear that he cares about their success. Eventually, he wants to teach outside the country, possibly in Thailand, China, or Japan.
Say hi to Mr McConell for a funny reaction he will probably say hi back.
