Why I Like St. Joe's:
[by the First Grade class]
Site Map
Copyright © 2008
Saint Joseph School of Downers Grove
St. Joseph School Celebrates Yet Another Outstanding Teaching Award Recipient...
Mr. Gene Murphy!
Strictness with a little bit of funny makes for a successful teacher.
Our 2007 Alumnus Connor Powell now attends St. Ignatius College Prep School, a Jesuit School founded in 1869 on Chicago 's west side. Connor felt prepared for his high school years, thanks in part to his
former teacher, Mr. Gene Murphy. When it came time to choosing a high school, St. Ignatius was on Connor's list, but the testing was in his way. Yet while only accepting 300 of the 800 tested, Connor was
accepted.
Traveling each school day both by train and bus to his St. Ignatius destination has taught him independence. Chicago neighborhoods have also become familiar to him, as his cross country team ran through the downtown streets to such places as the lake, Grant Park, and Millennium Park.
Preparation for the high school years is so important, and when his new high school gave him an opportunity to recommend a mentor for this award, he nominated Mr. Murphy! He taught Connor Language Arts, which included English and Writing. Connor's mom, Rebecca notes that he made English really fun. "Connor likes writing because of Mr. Murphy's class. He appreciated Connor's sense of humor and encouraged his creativity," she said. In Connor's words: "I had a goofy style of writing and Mr. Murphy liked that!" Mr. Murphy was funny. He sometimes made jokes. Rebecca said Connor paid more attention because of it. "Laughter made a difference." And according to Connor, his teacher "...was strict, but not too strict. He did prepare us."
Murphy is just one of our Middle School teachers who work with students in grades six through eight. While Connor credits Mr. Murphy for "keeping him in line," he also credits his other St. Joseph School
teachers for "a good balance of discipline and kindness." SJS 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Kathie Salek, first taught him the basics of outlining. "It helped me with studying and to retain information better." and he added, "it helped the performance of my tests." Connor also credited his math teacher, Mrs. Sharon Phelan for helping advance him into his Algebra II Honors class. "We are basically taking what we did last year and having a more advanced aspect of it." Connor's computer skills have benefited him as well. "We started Powerpoint when I came to SJS in 4th grade." Working on things like custom animation in Mrs. Schuler's computer classes have advanced him, as well.
Connor's former classmate, Kristi Koszewski would agree on Mr. Murphy's teaching. This year, as a DGN senior, Koszewski coached St. Joe 8th grade volleyball. "I love seeing Mr. Murphy in the stands...he makes my day! Whenever I think of great teachers, I think of Mr. Murphy!" Koszewski is considering a major in education. She recently wrote a high school paper on mentoring teachers, which included an example of Mr. Murphy's teaching. "Mr. Murphy taught life-lessons. I still remember things he said. About high school, he said to savor every moment. I am, but now it's almost over for me. He is always there for us."
Congratulations Mr. Murphy and also to Connor Powell for his acceptance into St. Ignatius College Prep School.