Prof. Joseph O’Connor

 

Prof. Joseph O’Connor, Principal of the Valencia Street Grammar School, is a native of the Emerald isle.  After receiving his preparatory education, he attended the national model and normal schools of Dublin, where he was afterward instructor for six years.  His career as a teacher began at an early age, while he was yet in his ‘teens, and teaching has, therefore, been his lifework, with an experience as teacher and educator in San Francisco for more than a quarter of a century.  During his residence here he has filled the position of teacher, vice-principal, principal of the Washington grammar school, vice-principal of the Spring Valley grammar school, and in 1883 was appointed Deputy Superintendent of Schools, under A. J. Moulder, and held this position until 1887, and then was appointed to his present position as principal of the Valencia Street grammar school.  He served for ten years on the Board of Examiners.  He had the honor of being the first instructor to classify, grade, and prepare a course of study for the night schools of the city, his idea being that night schools should be for working-men and boys instead of boys exclusively.   Prof. O’Connor was a member of the Executive Committee of the National Educational Association that assembled here in 1888.  He had charge of and directed the exhibition of a school selected from the public schools made at that time, and he was highly complimented in regard to his management and the methods pursued by him during the sessions of the association, one great element of his interest in educational work.