This week we are highlighting Andrew O’Neill, a music teacher in his fourth year at Scotchtown Avenue Elementary School.
The elementary school educator earned his associate’s degree from SUNY Dutchess Community College, bachelor’s degree from SUNY Purchase College, and master’s degree from Pace University.
Before joining the Goshen Central School District, O’Neill worked as a teaching assistant in Queens for four years and taught in the Bronx for one year.
“Goshen has a great music program that I am proud to be a part of,” he said.
O’Neill said his goal for teaching at the elementary school is to introduce his students to a wide range of musical instruments and genres.
“I would also like to continue putting on great performances with the first and second grade choruses,” he said.
In addition to spreading the joy of music, O’Neill said this year is especially exciting because he became a father for the first time in the fall.
“I’ve been a dad for about three months and I love it,” he said. “Walden James O’Neill was born on October 10, 2023.
“He is a very happy baby that enjoys eating, sleeping (thankfully for his parents), exploring a variety of fabrics with his mouth (he’s a big fan of corduroy), and stomping out his own 3-month-old version of melodies with a kick-and-play piano,” O’Neill said. “He’s the best.”
Outside work, the music teacher said he plays with a four-piece band regularly, and loves writing and performing music. He also enjoys hiking, running and biking.
BONUS FACT: If O’Neill could travel back to any time period, he said he would want to go back to the age of early humans.
“I would like to high-five a caveman, but I don’t think they’d understand the custom,” he said. “If that didn’t work out, I’d like to sit in on a Beatles recording session sometime between 1966 and 1969.”
Thank you so much for all you do, Andrew O’Neill! We appreciate you!