CHS honors McDonald

By Sonja Young
Herald Staff Writer

November 01, 2005 11:04 am

— CLINTON — Carissa McDonald is in teaching for the right reasons — the kids. This Clinton High School teacher also could be called a “switch hitter” teaching both social studies and language arts.
McDonald was nominated by Mark Bloom to receive the CHS “World of Difference” Award for October.
Bloom describes McDonald as having a big heart, the consummate professional, the ultimate team player.
“She is always there to collaborate, always helping other people, never heard her say a bad word about anyone,” Bloom said. “We have all had teachers when growing up and have said ‘that teacher really cares about teaching and cares about kids.’ She is just a classy person who I am proud to say I teach with everyday.”
McDonald has been teaching at CHS seven years. She is a native of Maquoketa and earned her bachelor’s degree from Loras College in Dubuque. She currently is pursuing her master’s degree. She says teaching gives her the opportunity to give back.
“I had excellent teachers all through my education. To be a part of that process is exciting,” she said. Several of her high school teachers encouraged her not only to go into teaching, but to be a good person.
McDonald usually teaches more social studies classes than English but one year was dominant on the language arts side. She currently teaches U.S. history and human civilization and classes in creative writing.
“They are two different animals,” she said. Preparation for the two subjects is very different. “I feel kind of unfocused at times.”
McDonald says a good teacher tries to reach as many kids as possible.
“Obviously, especially at the high school level, we all have our favorite subject, that the subject matter is very important to (an individual teacher),” she said. “But what we’re really here for is to reach kids in any way that we can. So you hope that is academically but sometimes it is otherwise, there is so much teaching that is outside the classroom.”