Ms. O’Malley: just hearing the name makes me want to walk into every room with a contagious smile and an exuberant “Hello, hello, hello!” to everyone I see. It makes me want to “pop a squat” and share a great story I know will make everyone chuckle while listening to the ‘Hype Disney’ playlist. It makes me want to help anyone who may need it with patience, guidance, and encouragement — and when they figure it out, to tell them it is “perfect, perfect, perfect!” Ms. O’Malley, your friendly spirit has infallibly made every day fun, in spite of the challenges in math. You have always been there to guide me through a tricky last-minute question on a problem set and to help me find a way to make up any work I missed. And, most importantly, for my whole class, Ms. O’Malley has been the teacher whom we could consider a friend. 

For my last two years at Montrose, I have had the blessing of having Ms. O’Malley as my Algebra I and Geometry teacher. With two years of experience, I can honestly say nobody can make math as energizing and fun as she can. Every math class I walk into, I know is a place where my grade can come together to learn something new and challenging, to practice over and over any concept that we struggle with, and just to be friends with each other. They allow me to truly get to know my classmates better as people. It is a place where we can talk through the challenges in any facet of life, and know that our struggles will be met with an understanding nod and helpful advice. In short, Ms. O’Malley’s math classes are a place where we can be ourselves. And all while being a teacher who, in the opinion of the Class of 2028, is terrific at teaching complex math topics, every step of the way.

And so, on behalf of myself, the Class of 2028, and all of Montrose, I want to wish you a heartfelt thank you, Ms. O’Malley. From math classes, to JV Soccer, and everything in between, you have always been there for us to brighten our day with your outgoing and excited spirit, to explain volume formulas yet again, and help us to keep on persevering through whatever comes our way. We will all miss you next year, and wish you the very best in your next chapter. We promise you will be a teacher who we never forget. Thank you, Ms. O’Malley, thank you.

By Elisabeth Smith ‘28, Co-Assistant Editor-in-Chief

28esmith@montroseschool.org