JEN JUHASZ
Staff Reporter
PALMER RAPIDS – While her face may be new to some, her connections to people in the area have helped to ease her transition in a new teaching role at Palmer Rapids Public School.
Danielle O’Marra has recently assumed the role of junior and senior kindergarten teacher, since mid-December 2011, on a maternity leave contract for Lynn Ciupak. Ciupak welcomed her second child, baby girl Caitlyn Krystyna into the world on January 8, 2012.
Originally from Combermere, it turns out Danielle went to school with some of the parents of the children she is now teaching. She also attended the Palmer school for Kindergarten herself some years ago, before completing her elementary education at George Vanier Catholic School.
“It’s been a very easy transition, very comfortable and lots of fun,” O’Marra said.
She had previously worked as a supply teacher for two and a half years, and then taught Grades 1, 2 and 3 full-time in St. Mary’s in Wilno from January to June 2011. She found out about the Palmer School position on a jobs in education website and was also informed by a relative who works at the school.
She says she enjoys the atmosphere at Palmer Rapids and has found her experience here similar to others she has taught at like St. Mary’s and Killaloe schools.
“I like being part of a small school and small community. In smaller schools parents seem much more involved,” she said.
Post-secondary studies have meant travel for Danielle, not only within Ontario but overseas. She earned her Bachelor of Science at University of Toronto at the Erindale Mississauga campus, with a double major focus on science. She knew she always wanted to pursue teaching and began to research places she would apply to.
This story continues in the February 16 issue of The Valley Gazette.