Mr. O'Donnell

My name is Tim O'Donnell, and I’m excited to be your child's physical education teacher this year. I’ve been part of the Chute Family for 11 years, and I’m lucky to say I genuinely love coming to work every day—Chute is a special place that makes teaching even more rewarding.

I graduated from Northeastern Illinois University in 2011 with a degree in Physical Education, and I recently earned my master’s degree in curriculum and instruction in 2022. My wife, Jami, teaches first grade in Niles, and we have two wonderful and energetic boys: TJ, who’s 12 and in 7th grade, and Tyler, who’s 9 and in 4th grade. Our home is also full of activity, with two Siberian Huskies, Rex and Raven, who love their long walks! Outside of school, I spend as much time as possible being active with my boys, whether it’s biking, playing sports, or tackling DIY projects at home (especially ones inspired by Pinterest).

In physical education, my mission goes far beyond simply teaching sports skills. I believe PE is essential for every child’s overall development. It’s a way for students to learn about their bodies, overcome challenges, build resilience, and interact positively with their peers. My goal is to help each student find a physical activity they enjoy, something they’ll look forward to participating in outside of school.

Alongside teaching PE, I also coach the cross-country team and serve as one of the 7th-grade team leads. I’m looking forward to a fun and active year ahead!

Best,
Tim O'Donnell