My name is Joy O’Dowd and you can address me Mrs. O’Dowd or simply “O’Dowd”.  I’m the super short Filipino teacher (with an Irish last name) that lives in room S206 or can be found running around campus. This year I teach Living Earth, Anatomy, and Honors Human Body Systems and I’m psyched because those last two subjects are my jam.  I love my job (most days 🙂 and love what I teach. I hope I can share that passion with you.  Before I found teaching, I worked at the beach, at the hospital, and a few different fitness facilities because of my background in aquatics.  I miss coaching my boys but don’t regret resigning because I have two amazing children who play club sports of their own now… so besides teaching I am a glorified uber mom.

 10 random facts about me:
-I love coffee (Cafe Bustelo in a coffee press with a scoop of vanilla protein and a splash of creamer)
-I am passionate about CrossFit and have recently joined the weightlifting team at my gym
-I’m 5′ nothing
-My BS is in biology but my focus was on molecular cell biology (so I’m super geeky)
-I used to coach boys aquatics, run academic decathlon, and still currently part of Skills USA as the CPR/First Aid advisor.
-I think Star Wars is amazing (which is funny because my teacher neighbor Mr. Maurer is a Trekkie).
-My favorite lecture of the year is my “poop” lecture in anatomy (I’m fascinated by gross things… what can I say).
-I’m a sucker for cheesy science memes.
-My favorite IG posts are usually from sportscenter, the dodo, and medical posts (like medicaltalks or medspiration).
-I train in an Israeli martial arts called Krav Maga

I know with onset of COVID19 these past couple  of years have not traditional and all sorts of crazy, but all we can do is count our blessings and look forward to a fresh start of a new year. There’s a lot that has happened these past several months and although the situation has not been ideal, let’s use this time to reflect, get back on track,  and better ourselves.

“Nothing will work unless you do.”
-John Wooden 

If you have any questions, need help, or want to contact me for any reason please feel free to email me at jodowd@dusd.net and I’d be more than happy to help you.

J. O’Dowd