Meet Springfield Public School's Teacher of the Year

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Danielle O'Neil, a Physical Education teacher at Sherwood Elementary, was named Springfield Public School's Teacher of the Year for 2025-2026. 

O'Neil has been teaching for 10 years total, her time at SPS started at Pershing middle school for two years, before she moved to Watkins Elementary as a PE Teacher for four years, and she has now been a PE teacher at Sherwood for three years so far.

"Whenever you develop that physical literacy with the kids, it helps them become confident lifelong movers," O'Neil said. "And if I can help establish that love for movement young while they're here and spark that, and then they're more likely to carry it on throughout life."

As part of teacher appreciation day and week, Ozarks First took a visit to Sherwood Elementary to see Coach O'Neil teach in action. As a physical education teacher, O'Neil says movement is an important aspect of learning but more than that, she wants each kid to walk away feeling empowered to try new things.

"I do care about all the physical movement aspects of P.E. and the skill development and things, but I also focus so much on social emotional learning," O'Neil said. "I want the kids to learn how to take risks and learn that there is building resilience and when they do fail. So there's always a lesson in everything that we do."

O'Neil says teaching is a rewarding experience, and for her its more than just teaching its being a light in a students life, setting the tone for a students day with a high five, and being in every students corner as a supporter.

"Just being that positive, caring adult in their lives, someone who's consistent and they know that I'm always in the corner rooting for them, I think is super special," O'Neil said. "And that's kind of what drives me every day."

O'Neil says it's an honor to be recognized as SPS's Teacher of the Year, and she appreciates the recognition all teachers received this week for their dedication.

"Teaching is really a work from the heart," O'Neil said. "We do truly care for all of our students, and we want them to succeed. And we kind of as teachers, I think, carry the things that our students are carrying, and it can be heavy. And so just getting that acknowledgment and appreciation for what we do day in and day out, I think, is really important."

O'Neil will go on to compete in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) regional competition. Winners at the regional level will advance to the Missouri State Teacher of the Year Competition.