Teacher Spotlight: Nativity BVM's Mary Jane Driscoll

Media Patch is offering a new feature called Teacher Spotlight where we will feature a local teacher who deserves recognization. Teachers give a lot to their students, schools and studies and we'd like to recognize them and say a simple, thank you, for all that they do.

This Nativity BVM Kindergaten teacher has taught at the school her whole career and has enjoyed every minute. Her first year at the school, she taught second grade but the next year she moved to Kindergarten and hasn't looked back.

Teacher: Mary Jane Driscoll

School:

Grade/Subject: Kindergarten

Years in the Industry: 27 years

Teaching History:

Driscoll has spent all 27 years at Nativity. She also grew up locally and attended schools in the area as well. She attended St. Kevin's Elementary School, Cardinal O'Hara High School and Neumann University. She began her career at Nativity as a second grade teacher but knew she wanted to teach Kindergarten. The next year, the former Kindergarten teacher retired, and Driscoll moved into the position.

"I stayed and I loved it," she says.

What do you like most about your job:

I like watching the kids grow up and listening to them pray during prayer time. Once you've taught them, they always hold a special place in your heart. I still get hugs from (former students) when they see me in the halls and they always grow taller than me at some point, the 4-foot-11 Driscoll says.

Why did you become a teacher:

When I was in college I had no idea what I wanted to do and had no plans to be a teacher. But in my second year of college, I prayed about it and asked God to show me what I was supposed to do. Then three times in the same week, I was approached by random people at school asking me if I was in the Education Department. By the third time, I knew it was God telling me I should be in education. And now, I couldn't be happier.

What do you like best about your current school:

It feels like your home. Everyone is a part of the family, when you're getting along and even when you're not, it's always a family.