WKBT La Crosse, WI-NewsChannel 8-November Top Notch Teacher

Reported by Kristen Elicerio

November Top Notch Teacher

Reported by Kristen Elicerio
Email: kelicerio@wkbt.com

Students of Mr. Donndelinger will tell you that he's not your average high school science teacher.  Instead, he defines what a teacher is by bringing fun, education and sometimes a little craziness into his La Crosse classroom.

In addition to how all teachers at Aquinas high school begin their school day, Mr. Donndelinger begins his with a joke.  That's because after nearly 30 years of teaching high school science, he knows what it takes to keep the classroom an exciting place to learn.

"What before was always goofiness is now goofiness extreme, and it's fine. It keeps you alive," said Donndelinger.

On the walls of his classroom are quotes and bible verses that remind him of his teaching philosophy.

"I try as much as I can to help students be successful, to find ways to be successful. Open different avenues, open different paths. Everybody has a path to success. It's my job to find it and open it up for them," said Donndelinger.

"He's pretty lively. He keeps the class 'moving and if you ever need help he's always right there for you," said student Brandon Guenther.

"We look for students to become equal in person, as well as in character, as well as in chemistry and knowledge and everything. The teaching job is never done, but when it is kind of complete, then you've got someone that's your equal and hopefully someone you communicate with long after school," said Donndelinger.