Timothy McDonald
Position: Adapted Physical Education Teacher
School: Oak Park Elementary School District #97
School District: Oak Park Elementary School District #97
City, State: Oak Park, IL
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Timothy McDonald was nominated by Karen Reed, a family member of one of his students and athletes.
Mr. Timothy McDonald is affectionately known as “Mr. Tim” in the gym by many of his students. His selfless work ethic, passion for his work, and his 'why' are the reasons I decided to nominate him for this award," said Reed. "From my first time meeting him in the gym as he facilitated Special Olympics basketball, I instantly became a fan. I have had the privilege of knowing Mr. Tim for 7 years, and his excitement about his students, their progress, and development is undoubtedly refreshing. He's always with a smile, enthusiasm, and full of optimism. He speaks and engages on a level that encourages participation and connectivity from students, parents, and the community. Even during the pandemic, Mr. Tim found creative and adaptable platforms to foster an educational and athletic environment, and always with a big smile and encouraging words.
Background: When Mr. Tim graduated college, he served as an accountant for three years before changing careers. He has been an adapted physical education teacher and Special Olympics coach for Oak Park District 97 since August 2010. In his current role, he designs physical education programs and Special Olympics events for students with and without disabilities.
Workout Videos: Since remote learning started in March 2020, Mr. Tim has made many videos to help connect with students/families. He and his students exercise to these videos during virtual and in-person adapted P.E. classes using the projection screen. Please click the below screenshots to open up recent videos that he has made.
Superheroes Flying Class Intro Video
Cardio Drumming Video
90's Throwback Video
Special Olympics: In 2011, Mr. Tim assisted with starting up Special Olympics in his district. All of the teams are unified, which means that they include athletes with and without disabilities. There are seven different Special Olympics sporting teams offered to students in grades Pre-K through 8, and the teams include peer coaches (peers without disabilities).
Polar Plunge: Mr. Tim also assisted with starting Oak Park's Special Olympics polar plunge team. Over 100 Oak Parkers (students/staff/families) plunged into the 34 degree-Lake Michigan water in February 2020. Oak Park knocked off the 7-time defending champ (Lyons Township High School) and was the first place fundraiser, raising $44,382 for Special Olympics IL.
Battle of the Badges: Mr. Tim co-leads the annual Battle of the Badges event every April, where Oak Park's fire and police departments play a fun basketball game against each other alongside Special Olympics athletes from Oak Park. The whole community comes out and packs the gym!
Assistive Technology Use: In recent years, Mr. Tim has worked with Brooks Middle School design teachers to help build devices that students with disabilities can use during physical education class. They have made several button-activated devices that students can use to shoot a ball six feet in the air to a partner, push a ball down a bowling ramp using robots, or kick a ball into a goal using a button activated mechanical foot. He and his colleagues also have the middle school design class (6-8th graders) build devices and travel to the elementary school (K-5th) to debut their creations to young students.
National Recognition: In 2018 and 2020, Mr. Tim assisted Julian Middle School and Irving Elementary School, respectively, with earning National Banner status. This program recognizes schools that promote inclusive opportunities and have unified P.E. classes & Special Olympics sporting programs. These are rare recognitions. In the state of Illinois, Irving was one of only three new National Banner Schools in 2020, and the only new elementary school that year.
Respect Campaigns: Mr. Tim also assists in leading an annual Respect Campaign at three Oak Park schools where students do different activities to promote inclusion. All students sign a banner pledging not to use the "R" word. The staff share a video with the whole school about inclusion, hold quizzes around the school, and send out groups of students who lead discussions in classrooms about the importance of inclusion.
Young Athletes: Finally, as part of this year's Special Olympics IL program, Mr. Tim was invited to co-lead a virtual culminating event for all Young Athletes programs in the whole state of IL that was attended by hundreds of athletes, staff and families. Young Athletes is for students ages 3 through 9 and is the lead-up to Special Olympics sporting programs as students get older. Fifty schools in Illinois have Young Athletes and are invited to the event, which is similar to the end of year Olympic field day.
Tim is an EXCEPTIONAL educator, making every student teach their full potential. He goes above and beyond to support our multineeds/low incidence population. He is indeed a life changer!
People just smile when they see Mr. Tim, in all the years of knowing him, not once have I heard a negative comment or seen a sign of frustration on his face. He uplifts, encourages, & supports everyone around him, young & old. Thank you Mr. Tim for making this world a better place.
Well deserved Mr. Tim!!! Thank you for all you do to help support the kids!!
Well deserved, buddy. Witnessing your passion over the years has been an honor.
Thank you for all you do !!
Mr. Tim is awesome and absolutely deserving of this award. He brings so much joy and energy to his work! I have always admired his dedication to his students and how he goes above and beyond in all he does for them (organizing events, coaching Special Olympics, creating the coolest videos!). Vote for Mr. Tim!
Words can't even begin to express how amazing Tim is. Tim takes the time to get to know each and every single one of his students and they all LOVE him so much. Tim is down to earth, easy going, passionate about kids and just an all around excellent human being. Tim changes every person's life that he comes into contact with whether its for one second or one year. I feel honored to have worked with Tim and he completely deserves this award!
I echo everyone's sentiments here. He is truly a gift to the community and to all the students. Very fortunate to know him!
Mr. Tim... you are so deserving of this! You're awesome and Irving is extremely lucky to have you. Thank you for all you do for the kiddos of this school... we really really appreciate you.
Mr. Tim is well known around the community of children I also work with outside of the school setting- his energy, dedication, care and compassion is to be honored! Grateful to have you around this community for the kids I know and the kids I don't! He has partnered with therapists, parents and advocates to support his students each and every day.
Mr Tim deserves this so much! He truly loves what he does and has a gift.
Tim sees the positive in all his students. It's so great to see how everyone is happy when he joins us. Tim really is a life changer!
Tim always sees the best in his students. His has such as positive and fun personality. I love working with Tim and enjoy seeing the kids excited when he works with us.
Tim is an amazing person, he is able to bring out the best in all who work with him. Good luck, you deserve it because you are a life changer!
My child doesn’t speak much. So when they came home chanting “Mr. Tim is in the gym!” I knew it must have been a truly great experience and I’m grateful.
Mr. Tim is one of a kind. His enthusiasm and commitment to his students is like no other. We are truly privileged to have him as a part of our school district.
Tim McDonald has boundless energy and enthusiasm for his job and students. He is a true treasure for the whole district!
Mr. Tim!! Tim is the kindest and most inspiring individual. As a teacher he challenges everyone to be their very best and teaches by example. He is a true leader that enjoys lifting people up and making the work fun!
Tim is a true gem and makes our SPED department fun and bright. He is our Adaptive P.E. teacher for kids with special needs, but he also supports some of our other students who need more social emotional support. He takes them in to help them increase their leadership skills and they love supporting Tim and his programs. We are so lucky!!
Mr. Tim goes above and beyond for his students and schools!!
I can't think of any professional who has made such a huge positive impact on the lives of so many students. Team brings out the best in every student, makes each and every student feel special and always keeps inclusion at the forefront of everything he does. Tim McDonald is the most deserving of the life changer of the year award!!
Mr. Tim,
You are awesome!!! Thank you for all you do!!!!
Yes! Mr. Tim is an amazing teacher and is always there for his students. I have had the pleasure of working with him and cannot imagine D97 without him! Thank you for all that you do Mr. Tim!
Mr. Tim is amazing with the kids and brings all the energy each and every time. Congratulations on your nomination!
Tim is an amazing colleague who inspires us every day with his positive attitude and his deep dedication to students, and their families. He embodies our mission of inclusion and diversity by making sure our most vulnerable students feel welcomed and supported in our schools.
Mr. Tim is wonderful to work with and the kids adore him!! It is always fun to see the excitement on the kids faces when it is time for APE! :)
Tim McDonald is an amazing adaptive PE teacher. Any student or adult who works with him is fortunate. Congrats on the recognition!
I love working with Tim! His energy and passion for what he does in unmatched. If there is anyone worthy of an award like this, it is him. He incredibly impactful on everyone he comes across.
Tim brings enthusiasm and passion each day. His energy is contagious. He roots for all of his students and celebrates their progress. A well-deserved recognition! Congratulations, Tim!
I've had the pleasure of co-teaching with Mr. McDonald before the pandemic and also during the pandemic. Excellent professional and even better person!!!!!
Mr. Tim is an awesome teacher, colleague and person! Thank you for all you do for D97!
Mr. Tim is definitely a life changer for many students! He brings out the best of everyone everyday. He is always thinking of new and exciting activities for students and adults. He is willing to help out at all times. Mr. Tim is hard worker and we are very lucky to have him.
GO TIM !
Mr. Tim is absolutely a “life changer” and is very deserving of this honor. I’ve witnessed first-hand how he uses his infectious energy, creativity, and positivity to facilitate dignity and hope in kids, while helping them to realize their potential. He truly is making a positive difference in children’s lives every day!
Mr. Tim is the absolute best. Everyone adores him.
No doubt about it that Mr. Tim is the absolute best. He is sunshine!
Mr. Tim is awesome. He includes every student. Mr Tim has something nice to say about every student in every APE class.
Mr. McDonald's energy and positivity are unmatched. He enters every space and makes it fun and exciting. The students absolutely love working with him & we all value how he brightens our day. Congratulations Mr. Tim, you deserve it!
Tim McDonald is a phenomenal teacher whose energy lights up his students and colleagues!
Well-deserved honor! Mr. Tim brings great passion, dedication and fun to lives of our students. He truly makes a difference.
Mr. Tim has proven to be one the best AP gym teacher in D97.
Very well diserved nomination! Congratulations Tim!
You're all about inclusion and equal opportunities. Students and teachers are lucky to have you in the district.
Mr. Tim is a wonderful person, and D97 is absolutely lucky to have him!
Mr. Tim is the best. I love ?? working with him. Congratulations!
Mr. Tim is always energized and ready to rock the school day! He is able to perfectly balance his humor with professionalism and makes everyone- students, staff and parents- feel welcomed and seen. He is not just an awesome adaptive PE teacher and co-worker, he is an awesome person in general!
Thank you for being simply the best at all time with everyone.
Mr Tim brings a smile to everyone’s face and goes well above and beyond to support students, families, and staff in our district. He’s well deserving of this award!!
Mr Tim is so enthusiastic! He's a true gem. Each student that has a the opportunity to work with him is so excited to do so. I've seen the work that he does and it is impressive. He is very deserving of this honor!
Mr. Tim is a creative, funny and compassionate teacher who brings a smile on any student's face.
Tim brings endless love, compassion, creativity, collaboration, and positivity to his work. He inspires his students, families, AND colleagues. He's amazing!
Tim McDonald is an inspiration to all, whose positive energy is contagious. I feel so very fortunate to have worked with him at multiple schools, including Brooks where I had the opportunity to work alongside him during special Olympics and PE. District 97 is a better place because of TIm McDonald. There is no better man on the planet when it comes to inspiring kids to feel seen and valued. Thank you for all you do TIm.
Great teacher. Goes above and beyond in all that he does. Always smiling.
I don't even know where to start. Mr. Tim makes such a significant impact on multiple school communities across our school district. He is beyond committed to supporting students and providing them equitable access. We are absolutely blessed to have him as a teammate and champion for our students in Oak Park!
Mr. Tim is great! He works hard to encourage all the students to do their best. He always finds something positive to say about each student every APE class!
Tim McDonald's commitment to helping young people with disabilities thrive goes above and beyond. His positivity and encouragement helps his students grow their confidence and self-efficacy. He is both a movement and a life coach, constantly helping our students to be as successful and awesome as they can be!
Yay Tim! You do great work with the students! You deserve this nomination!
Mr. Tim always appears to have boundless energy and it is infectious! His love for the students and families shines through in his daily presence and he is an absolute joy to work with and an amazing collaborator. I personally feel so lucky to be able to work with him multiple times a week. Thank you Mr. Tim for being the wonderful tornado you are!
Mr. Tim is a huge asset to our D97 team and makes a big impact in his students' lives!
Tim is one of a kind! His commitment and support for all students is like nothing I have ever seen. We are so incredibly proud of you Mr. Tim, and so happy you are with District 97!
Yeeeezzzz,
Mr. Tim, the gentle giant who wears many hats to advocate for our special needs children. His authenticity/generosity/tenacity creativity and bubbly friendly personality demonstrates he is in tune and in touch with the development/needs of the whole child. Equally important, he continues to make a powerful/positive impact in their life.
Taiga and I appreciate you and vote for you.We chant….
??“Mr Tim in the Gym”
“Mr. Tim in the Gym”
“Mr. Tim in the Gym”
You Win!!!!??????
Tim is so deserving of this nomination. His passion and enthusiasm for the job is so inspiring.
Tim is an amazing person and educator. He always has so much energy and enthusiasm and it is so contagious to not only his students but also his colleagues. I can not think of a more deserving educator for this nomination. Yay, Tim!
Congrats on this recognition Mr. Tim. I hope you receive this award, it is dully noted you are awesome and so accomodating to the all the students at all of the schools but especially Brooks.
Way to go.
Sincerely,
Stacey Jackson
Mr. Tim is very deserving of this nomination. He brings a positive attitude to all the students and his colleagues. He can always make people smile and feel confident in their achievements.
Mr. Tim’s leadership and enthusiasm is absorbed by us all and gym is a shared physical, emotional, and social activity. He makes the work interesting, fresh, and just plain fun! Mr. Tim is beloved by all and the excitement for his sessions is well earned.
Mr. Tim’s leadership and enthusiasm for his students is compelling! He is genuine and obviously loves what he does.
Mr. Tim is truly an inspiration to everyone in every way. Absolutely deserving of this nomination. Congratulations and all the best Mr.Tim!!
Tim is so energetic and fun to work with!
Mr. Tim's dedication reaches far beyond just his assigned students. He is making a difference in the lives of the whole community! D97 is lucky to have Mr. Tim!
Tim McDonald brings energy, commitment, and passion to his work every single day, without exception. He is a great teacher who makes an positive impact in the lives of his students.
Thankful to have Mr. Tim in D97 to support our students. He has such great and positive energy that is infectious!
Mr. Tim is kind of a super-human. I don't really know how he does this, but I've caught him working at school waaay before the doors open to catch up on all of the paperwork parts of the job and be prepared for IEP meetings, just to see him later full of energy and authentic enthusiasm with his students or with colleagues. From his epic district-wide staff pedometer challenges that used to kick off my running season each year, to getting me pumped to do a Polar Plunge during the year of the Chicago Polar Vortex, to creating inclusive playdates at my own kids' school, and creating various clubs and programs for our students with and without disabilities --Mr. Tim always goes the extra mile to cheer his students, co-workers, and families into doing stuff they didn't even know they could do.
Mr Tim is always bringing the fun with his creative activities and positive attitude. Well-deserved!!
Mr. Tim, congratulations on this well-deserved nomination! There's no doubt you change every life you touch! I've seen the interactions you have had with some of your students, and in these small moments, I can just feel your positive energy, see the respect you have for your students, and tell what an incredibly dedicated teacher you are. District 97 is very lucky to have you!
Tim is always, and I mean always, there for our students and in a positive, upbeat mood at school.
Tim is EVERYONE'S favorite. He brings joy and boundless energy to each and everyone of his students and most of us adults.
Thanks and congratulations, Tim. You not only make the world a better place, you help us all learn to do so too.
Tim changes the lives of many of our scholars
Mr. Tim is a true life changer day in and day out! I'm honored to know him for a decade co-teaching PE classes and witnessing his unchangeable positive attitude and kindness that brings the best out of not only his students but entire classes of students and adults around him. What a guy!
Mr. Tim is so deserving of this. He is one of those special people that you just want to be around. He makes magic happen with kids and adults alike. He truly is an inspiration to teachers and students everywhere!
Mr. Tim is so deserving of this. He is one of those special people that you just want to be around. He makes magic happen with kids and adults alike. He truly is an inspiration to teachers and students everywhere!
Yes! Well deserved! Tim is always smiling! He is the best. Our students are so lucky.
It is amazing to see him at work with his students. How lucky D97 is to have him!!
Mr. Tim is such a gift to our community. He is kind, understanding and has a way to get all of the students involved. We are so lucky to have him.
Another awesome person from D97.
Mr. McDonald is such a positive, upbeat and wonderful teacher! Congratulations on this honor! He absolutely deserves it!
Tim radiates an abundance of positive energy. His kindness and efforts have helped countless students and families over the years. I feel fortunate that he is my friend and colleague.
Our students always look forward to the days Mr. Tim leads their gym class. And the Special Olympics Day is a bright spot in their school year.
Thank you Mr Tim!
Mr. Tim is loved by everyone! He is such a positive person and really cares about his students. D97 is lucky to have him!
Mr. Tim is an energetic force who keeps his students moving and colleagues inspired!
His positive energy is infectious!
Mr. Tim is absolutely the best! So kind and generous, always going above and beyond for our students. He is a pleasure to work with as his energy is contagious! So deserving of this and much more! ??????
District 97 is so fortunate to have Mr. Tim! His work with students, staff, and families is incredible. He is so deserving of this recognition!
A very well deserved nomination. Mr. Tim is such a passionate, dedicated, caring teacher. It is an honor to work with him.
Yay Tim! He is so positive and well deserving of this award! Congrats on the nomination!!!
I know you at Mann School and at Middle School. Mr. Tim was my gym teacher and coach. I like him because he is a life changer. He helped me to be a better athlete and have better sportsmanship. I have Down Syndrome and I'm 18
I want to thank Mr.Tim for teaching me. He is a great guy. He is one of my favorites. I work with him as an Assistant in some of his gym classes.
Ms. Reed did a great job explaining some of what Tim does to support the students of Oak Park. He is so much more than an Adapted P.E teacher. He brings people with and without disabilities together and believes in and optimizes the ability of all of his students. My son was a student of Mr. Tim's when he attended D97 and was one of his first Special Olympic coaches. My son is now a senior in high school and still talks about Mr.Tim like he is a rock star. Spending even a few minutes with Tim explains this - his positive energy is contagious. Over the past 10 years, I have also had the pleasure of working with Tim as the district physical therapist. I am constantly impressed and humbled by how he goes above and beyond to make each student feel important. When any student is struggling Tim makes it a point to bring that student under his wing. His example makes all of us work to strive to do our best, students and co-workers alike. It is notable that Tim has been selected to be an Illinois Special Olympics Coach- one of only 4 or 5 from the State to take the Illinois athletes to the National Competition this coming June. Tim McDonald is a Life Changer and deserves this honor.
Tim works so well with the students and really takes the time to engage them on a group and individual level. He goes above and beyond everyday and is always a joy to be around. He's got my vote
This honor is so well-deserved!! Tim McDonald is so important to students, families, and colleagues!
Mr. Tim is a gift to the D97 and Oak Park communities. We are lucky to have him!
Everyone loves Mr. Tim. Students, families, colleagues, administration; you name it, there is one thing we can all agree on, Mr. Tim is an amazing, dedicated teacher. Mr. Tim is a positive force. Every time I leave a meeting with him or watch him teach, I feel inspired and happy. Mr. Tim is the real deal. I have known him for over a decade and he has been the same Mr. Tim since we met. He goes above and beyond for his students and the district. From bringing and coaching Special Olympics to our district (which has grown immensely and includes students with and without disabilities) to teaming up with some of his students so they can participate in talent shows, or getting the whole district participating in a friendly "steps" competition, Mr. Tim has had a positive impact on us all. He is a truly wonderful person and so deserving of this award.
Mr. Tim is an awesome teacher and an amazing individual. His influence on the lives of students, staff and families in Oak Park District 97 has been truly life changing.
We are so lucky to have Mr. Tim at our school! He has made it possible for our children to learn and play with their classmates who have special needs. From Inclusive "Everybody Plays" play dates to adapted P.E. classes to our National Banner status Mr. Tim has made a positive impact in the lives of children in our community. Thanks for all you do, Mr. Tim!!
Mr Tim is the one person that students, parents and teachers look forward to seeing. Tim’s positive energy spreads to everyone. He creates opportunities for all students to be successful through collaboration and creativity. The number of lives he has changed through his work is countless.
I had the pleasure of working with Tim for at least 10 years in Oak Park. We started our Special Olympics program together, and boy has he taken it to a whole new level! I’m so proud of him and everything that he has done. He absolutely deserves this award, as the guy I loved to hate on!!
Mr Tim is great. He is such a positive, energetic teacher. Appreciate how he treats each child as an individual.
A well deserved nomination for a great teacher and person, way to go!!!
Thank you Mr. Tim - Annie loved her time in the basketball program. Hope you get this award!
I have worked with Mr. Tim for 12 years! He continues to bring energy and creativity to his craft year after year. I am a first grade, general education teacher, but I have worked directly with Mr. Tim through the Young Athletes Program. My first graders loved being a part of this awesome program that he brought to our district. Mr. Tim is so deserving of this award. His hard work and dedication is never ending!
I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award than Mr. Tim! My 5th grader, who has developmental delays, loves her Adapted PE class (“It’s my favorite class, Mom!) and her participation on the Special Olympics teams has been hands down one of the best parts of our experience in District 97.
I can truly say that my daughter’s self-confidence and joy at school has increased ten-fold because of all that Mr. Tim does and brings to the school district!
Any family that has the pleasure of working with Mr. Tim speaks in glowing terms about the positive impact he has made in their child/ren’s life/lives.
Mr. Tim pours his heart and soul into his job every single day, going above and beyond all the time. Inclusion is completely seamless and natural for him. We love Mr. Tim!!!
I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award than Mr. Tim! My 5th grader, who has developmental delays, loves her Adapted PE class (“It’s my favorite class, Mom!) and her participation on the Special Olympics teams has been hands down one of the best parts of our experience in District 97.
I can truly say that my daughter’s self-confidence and joy at school has increased ten-fold because of all that Mr. Tim does and brings to the school district!
Any family that has the pleasure of working with Mr. Tim speaks in glowing terms about the positive impact he has made in their child/ren’s life/lives.
Mr. Tim pours his heart and soul into his job every single day, going above and beyond all the time. Inclusion is completely seamless and natural for him. We love Mr. Tim!!!
Mr. Tim makes a connection with every student! He goes above and beyond and the kids love his activities. Way to go Mr. Tim!!
I am a teacher in one of the schools where Tim teaches, and am regularly impressed by how much he does to inspire and take care of his students. He must have one of those devices that Hermione had in Harry Potter, that allows him to be three places at once, because he organizes and leads so many wonderful programs and initiatives. He's a special person.
I can attest that Mr. Tim really is a life changer. He supports all of the students in Oak Park schools by encouraging healthy and inclusive habits by all staff and students. He has helped to make District 97 a positive environment for all of the students he interacts with. We are fortunate to have him in Oak Park.
No one compares! Positive, energetic, and sooooo much fun! Mr. Tim is the GOAT and a real life changer!
Congratulations Tim!!!!
Well deserved and I'm glad to be working with you each year with the Special Olympics.
Mr.Tim in the Gym! It’s now our turn to cheer you on!
Mr. Tim, you are the best:) I can't think of a better nominee. It's been fun and inspiring to see the magic and enthusiasm you generate within our special needs students, their families, and staff members. Oak Park District 97 is blessed to have you and I'm proud to know you.
Peace,
Ms. Candi
Tim! Congrats on your nomination! You are such an amazing presence in your students and co-workers lives!! Way to go!
Mr. Tim was my son’s pre-K PE teacher at the start of the pandemic and he put so much effort into engaging with the littlest kids over Zoom. The videos and songs really helped get through the early remote learning days!
Mr. Tim is a community treasure! His genuine love and enthusiasm for all of our children, his commitment to meaningful inclusion on and off the field/court/playground, and his gift for connecting with kids and adults alike is a model and inspiration for us all.
Mr. Tim is a rockstar teacher! Last year he organized and created a very special dance assembly for our kindergarten cotaught class! This made us feel excited to be at school & in a music video. We felt like rockstars because of Mr. Tim!
Mr. Tim is an amazing teacher! He makes these incredible videos with his students (and for his students) that capture everyone's attention. While I don't get to see him "behind the scenes" - it is clear that he has developed close relationships with his students and their families. He is also an advocate for his students in our larger community. We are so incredibly lucky to have him in our D97 school district!
He is an amazing part of our district and we are lucky to have him! His commitment to his students goes above and beyond
Hey I’m his basketball student ????????????????????
Your dedication to our students is phenomenal!!! Thank you for all that you do! ??