Biography of Samantha O’Connell

Samantha O'Connell - 6-8 grade

I was born Samantha Irene Ausen and spent the first year and a half of my life in Germantown, WI. After that, my parents moved to Waukesha, where my father opened his dental practice. My parents, Jeff and Nadine, are still living in the house where I grew up. I attended elementary school at Trinity, Waukesha, and high school at Wisconsin Lutheran. While I was in high school, I developed a love for good literature and music. Based on what I enjoyed, I decided to attend Martin Luther College as a STEP (five year) music major when I graduated in 1998.

After my fourth year at MLC, I received an emergency call to teach third grade at St. Mark’s in Watertown. During my year there, I reacquainted myself with a classmate of mine from high school, Bryan O’Connell. Ten weeks after our first re-meeting, we became engaged and were married the summer of that year.

Because of my marriage, I decided not to go back to MLC for my fifth year and to complete my credits for a four-year degree through correspondence. I began the school year of 2003-2004 at Atonement in Milwaukee as a teacher’s aide and pre-k assistant. Just a few weeks after starting, I was made aware that one of the teachers here at St. Paul’s was very ill with cancer and a full-time substitute was needed. The subjects I would be privileged to teach were literature, music, art and Junior Choir. Wow! Talk about a perfect fit! I enthusiastically agreed.

Just days before I began teaching, the beloved Miss Kulow passed away. Although I never knew her, I could tell by the words of the students and the other teachers that she was really something special. Now, two years later, students who had her for only a few weeks still talk about her with love and respect.

I adore what I teach here at St. Paul’s, and I thank God everyday for bringing me here. The age I teach is great; it’s miraculous to watch these kids become young adults before my eyes. I also love the faculty and staff, it’s a great group to work with, and I always feel like I’m part of a team. My brother Cameron is currently at Wisconsin Lutheran College and is planning on being a WELS teacher. If he is just half as blessed as I am, he will be very happy. I currently live in Wauwatosa with my husband and our two cats, Sushi and Sullivan. We both enjoy our quiet time, as well as cooking, eating out, and reading. God gave me a great life and I can’t wait to see what else he has in mind for me.