Mrs. McDee's
Bio

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BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION

   I was born on 5 November 1949 to Mary Louise Reither Murphy and Stuart Murphy at De Paul Hospital.
    I am the oldest of four children. My brother Stu (53) is a social worker in Jefferson City, MO, my sister Cathy Conners  (51) is a mother of three, Clare (21), Charlie and Patrick (both 20) and is a trainer at Automated Data Processing,  and my sister Ellen Dahl  (46) is a mother of four: Mike (17), James (15), Matt (14) and Anne (13) and is a Customer Service representative at Monsanto.
    I was married for the one and only time ( I HOPE!!!) to Steve McDonald, the love of my life,  on 30 September 1995 at our parish (both then and now--for we met at a church function), Little Flower in Richmond Heights. Our reception was held on our own front lawn here at Villa and great fun was had by one and all. We have one 'child', our black Labrador 'puppy', who is now nine, McMurphy. (How do you think Murph got her name????)  
    I was educated at Our Lady of Lourdes in University City until sixth grade when I transferred to Visitation (I know, I know!!!)  I graduated in 1968 (boy, am I old!!!) and then attended Marymount in Virginia and graduated from St. Louis University with a BS in Psychology and Education in 1972. I received my Master's Degree in 1983 from Webster University in Communications.

Career

    I began my teaching career in South St. Louis at St. Aloysius Gonzaga on the Hill. I taught fourth grade and loved it. After four years, I transferred to St Pius the V on South Grand and taught 5^th through 8^th Grade Social Studies while also teaching fifth grade Parish School of Religion on Sunday mornings. 
    In 1980, I began teaching at Villa in the middle school.  I taught English and Speech for six years in the 7th and 8th grade under the guidance and tutelage of Sr. Ghio (whom I love and admire to this day). In 1986, Sr. Gavan, our principal at the time, requested that I move up to 9th Grade, where I have been instructing young women ever since. I truly enjoy  teaching this grade level for I love the enthusiasm and spirit my students bring to the classroom (as well as to me) and am then able to view their  growth after they leave me and proceed on with their fine education here at Villa. My students are and always have been 'the winds beneath my wings' and I thank our dear Lord every day for them.

Hobbies and Interests

    I love to needlepoint ---EVERYTHING.
    I read INCESSANTLY and hope to instill this love in you.
    Travel is an antidote for me. I love visiting new places and meeting new
         people. It revives my spirit immensely.
    'Hangin out' with my now almost adult niece and nephews is a favorite.
        All three attend the University of Dayton. My siblings also attended Dayton
        and  it's wonderful to revisit the campus with the kids. I relive my youth
        and it is great fun.

  
      As both your English teacher and your class moderator I will be e-mailing

you once a week just to keep you up to date on events, news, Service Learning, etc.  If at anytime you have a concern, problem or a suggestion, please feel free to e-mail me.  I will respond as promptly as possible.

     That's it for now. I do love to laugh—so keep those jokes acomin’!!!!

I know we will have fun this year together. Remember no one ever stops learning—even an old foggie like myself.