Mr. O’Brien graduated from Catholic Central High School, and went on to Iona College and Catholic University. He later received a PhD in English Literature from the State University of New York.

When Notre Dame merged with Bishop Gibbons High School, he went with it. Today Mr. O’Brien continues to teach English to yet another generation of students. He figures that with an average of 120 students a year, he has taught some 5,000 young people (including one Rhodes Scholar) over the course of his career, not accounting of course for the many students he has met and influenced in projects outside the classroom.

After 42 years of teaching, Mr. O’Brien has learned that teachers have to be more tolerant and respectful of their students. “Roll with the world and use humor,” he says with a smile, affirming the fact that he practices what he preaches.

How has he kept his enthusiasm after all these years? “I love seeing the kids making connections between their lives and the literature they are reading…..I love seeing the flashbulbs going off in their heads…..that is exciting.”

Note: In 2008, Notre Dame–Bishop Gibbons had a 100% rate of college enrollment.