Hello my name is Mary Beth O'Connell and I am excited to begin my second year in the Life Skills Program at North Thurston High School. I began my  career i teaching secondary life skills and am very grateful for the opportunity to teach iLife Skills at NTHS.  This is my 29th year as a Special Education teacher and 14th year in a Life Skills program. 

I  am originally form New Jersey and earned my degree and teacher certification at Rowan University.  I  taught in a Life Skills program for 5 years before relocating to the Pacific Northwest. I have taught developmental preschool in Bethel School District  and North Thurston Public Schools for 13 years. I also taught  Life Skills for 5 years at Nisqually Middle School    I worked as  Resource room teacher at  Timberline  High School for two years before coming to North Thurston. I love teaching Life Skills . It is a joy to work with the students and an honor to help them learn skills to be independent, happy and productive community members.

 1st Period; Planning

2nd Period: Personal Health and Safety  

3rd Period: Money Math 

4th Period:  functional Reading 

5th. Period:  Job Skills

6th Period: Transitions