Melissa O’Dell, English II, English teacher, department chair of English, and cat lover.

Ms. O’Dell became a teacher nearly 20 years ago, the majority of it being spent at our very own Hays High. She taught English-writing freshman courses in grad school. She said she decided to become an English teacher because she thoroughly enjoys reading, is good at writing, and likes helping others. 

The things she does to help herself thrive are going to bed earlier than she used to, and she quit pulling all-nighters in terms of work to grade. She chooses not to get upset with herself if she doesn’t get as much done as she’d planned and focuses mainly on her day-to-day accomplishments. She believes prepping is what helps teachers succeed the most. 

To help her students thrive, she said she likes to incorporate fun moments in class, like popcorn parties for book group meetings, and letting her students have a bit of free alone time to focus on their individual work or time to decompress, think, and relax. She gives her students feedback to improve, and has different tricks and tips to help her students succeed grade-wise.

Ms. O’Dell’s main responsibilities as the department chair include purchasing books and supplies for the whole English department, keeping track of budgets and spending, and creating the first draft of a master schedule for English each spring. She recommends who’s teaching what subjects, and mediates and advocates for the English department.

But what Ms. O’Dell enjoys the most about teaching is talking to her students. She likes talking about books and reading students’ personal writing to learn more about her students and their lives. O’Dell said the only thing she dislikes about teaching is, of course, the grading.