The windows rattled when Mr. McDonnell boomed "Hello!" every morning to the students in the hallways. With the demeanor of a drill sergeant, he even frightened the senior football players who knew him only by sight. On my first day in Mr. McDonnell's English class, I honestly thought that he would kill English for me. But I soon came to realize that my first impressions of Mr. McDonnell had little to do with the kind …showed first 75 words of 426 total…

…showed last 75 words of 426 total…secret to Mr. McDonnell's remarkable personality. He worked hard to earn our interest, so we worked hard to earn his approval. Hidden within his intimidating exterior was a man of genuinely good character who had a keen ability to bring out the good character in others. He taught me that virtue is not found only in a select few individuals; the elements of good character and the ability to influence others live in us all.