What sets The Donoho School apart is our faculty. These individuals provide the living curriculum for Donoho students in and out of the classroom. Each week we will feature a member of the faculty and his or her story. We hope you will enjoy getting to know our faculty members throughout the school year and will stop by each week to read the latest Donoho Story.
Donoho Stories: Mrs. Donna Plunkett
What do you teach at The Donoho School?
I am presently teaching fourth through sixth grade science and sixth grade world history. This is my 30th year of teaching fourth through sixth grade science!
What do you love about The Donoho School?
The family atmosphere at Donoho is an incredibly positive aspect of our school. Whenever there’s a need within the school family, you can depend on support for that need. I enjoy the fact that I can watch my students grow and mature all the way through their senior year. Attending graduation each year enables me to see the results of the work we did together in the lower grades.
Why do you like teaching at The Donoho School? What motivated you to become a teacher at The Donoho School?
I love the enthusiasm and talents of the students. They enjoy learning, and that makes me look forward to coming to school every day. I really do feel that I’m able to touch the future of my students.
What is a unique experience, talent or interest that you bring to your classroom to help shape the learning experience of your students?
I’m that teacher who loves to do hands-on activities. I enjoy professional development opportunities, especially those involving geology or environmental science. Most of my students enjoy all things relating to science, so they are happy with a teacher who doesn’t mind playing with snakes, frogs, or a turtle or two.
What sets Donoho students apart from students in other schools?
My experiences as the Science Olympiad coach for the lower school science team has shown me that our students are capable of so much academically. They are wonderful problem-solvers and have been successful competing against students from larger schools.
The Donoho School tagline is “Discover the Difference.” How do you accomplish this in your role at Donoho?
I try to educate the “whole” child. I also challenge my students to not be satisfied with mediocre work. I remind them often to always bring their best to whatever they do.
What do you want your students to gain from having known you?
I want them to have the love of learning, and most importantly, to know that I will always want the best for them. A little part of me will go with them when they leave Donoho.
Mrs. Plunkett graduated from Jacksonville State University with a B.S. in Physical Education K-12 and is certified in Elementary Education with a M.S. in Elementary Education from Jacksonville State University. She is married to Keith Plunkett and has one son, Riley Cain, a 2008 graduate of The Donoho School. In her spare time, she enjoys camping at Weiss Lake and has recently taken up kayaking. She also enjoys reading, sewing and quilting.
