One of MEEC’s “EE Dream Team” members, Mary O’Connell has done some amazing things to make a difference in the lives of our kids and our environment!

Mary O’Connell has taught high school biology – which includes a strong ecology component – at Eastside High School in Lancaster for eight years. She spearheaded the placement of an AP Environmental Science course into the curriculum for the AVUHSD, which is now offered at several school sites throughout the district.

Mary also developed an Environmental Career Pathway at Eastside High School, the first of its kind in this region. The Pathway will help prepare local students for careers in environmental fields, including air quality management.

In 2007, Mary became the first Antelope Valley educator to receive MEEC’s prestigious “Teacher of the Year” award.

Eastside Principal Tom O’Grady proudly boasts that “Mary is the kind of teacher that turns kids onto science, and our test scores prove it!”