Alanna O’Donnell was not prepared to be greeted by a huge $25,000 check when she got to her Queens classroom on Friday.
The PS 177 teacher was one of this year’s FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence recipients because she consistently prioritizes her special needs children.
As the thrill and astonishment started to fade, O’Donnell said, “This is probably one of the most humbling experiences of my adult life and grateful to be part of the 177 family.”
Among the six educators selected for this year’s FLAG Award, which recognizes educators who “inspire learning through creativity, passion, and commitment,” is O’Donnell, 46.
Among 1,600 nominations, she was selected, and she credits one of her pupils’ parents for discreetly putting her name forward.
O’Donnell, a 12-year veteran of the city department of education, was selected because of her unwavering commitment to her small special needs classroom at PS 177, Robin Sue Ward School for Exceptional Children, where only one student can talk.
Using funds she obtained from a state Department of Agriculture and Markets grant, the committed educator constructed an urban farm and chicken coop so her students could manage the farm and take care of the chickens to develop empathy and responsibility, two qualities essential for non-verbal individuals with autism to achieve independence and well-being.
Her students assist in caring for the seven hens, two young chicks, and the flowers, veggies, and herbs.
O’Donnell sells the eggs the birds lay, usually one every day, for $5 a dozen. She also disclosed that they had a waiting list for the “under market value” eggs.
“It took a few weeks but when [the chickens] got here, there was a lot of like, ‘Oh, don’t squeeze the neck, don’t pop the beak, but you can see that my kids walk them without issue, hug them and hold them and will clean up their poop and will gather their eggs, never an issue and it shows the world that these kids have a voice,” O’Donnell smiled.
“They can do a job. There are 99% of New Yorkers who can’t do what these kids can do right now.”
Apart from her city farm, O’Donnell frequently takes her students shopping to help them develop their confidence and practice paying and counting change.
In addition, O’Donnell provides a vital social outlet by organizing an annual launch party for the Pink Ladies, a group she founded during the epidemic that is composed of present and previous female students.
When Principal Christopher Duffy announced that she had won, the teacher assumed she was going to an end-of-year celebration.
As the auditorium erupted in roaring cheers from her students and fellow teachers, O’Donnell covered her face with her hands in disbelief and shook her head from side to side while being presented a huge cardboard check.
She received an unlimited cash prize of $25,000, and PS 177 received an additional $10,000 to support her agricultural and Pink Lady endeavors.
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“Well, holy moly, I’m sweating like crazy and shaking, but this is amazing and I’m so humbled. To accept an award like this because when one of us shines, we all shine, two, because I’m here at 177,” O’Donnell stated.
“This is probably one of the most humbling experiences of my adult life,” she said, adding that the fact that a parent had nominated her for the prize made it much more meaningful.
“I get to be the voice for the voiceless,” she added, adding that the field “is not an easy road.” Wouldn’t it be wonderful to give my children the opportunity to work at the Queens County Farm or the farmers market? She went on.
“If I can be their voice, I’ll be the voice and I’ll help their parents be their voice too.”
