Following the retirement of the highly respected Walpole High School teacher, Tom Morris, WHS administration looked for someone who was equally interested in teaching history as taking over the position of the new History Department Head.  Taking on the job once held by a phenomenal teacher, who dedicated his life to the students of Walpole for 42 years, would be no easy task.  However, one teacher welcomed the offer and decided to accept the responsibility—Michael Donohue.  Donohue, a history teacher from North Carolina, with a passion for history and the characteristics needed to fufill the role, came to pursue the new job in an unfamiliar high school. For Donohue, moving 615 miles to teach at Walpole High School is his new reality.

Donohue had previously taught at a school in North Carolina, but this new and ideal job opportunity in Massachusetts brought him up North. In middle school, Donohue recognized his passion for history; he said, “At first I wanted to be my seventh grade social studies teacher, but then I realized I just wanted to do that as a profession.”  Fortunately, after his marriage in July 2012, he and his wife moved over 600 miles from North Carolina to Massachusetts—giving him the opportunity to teach at WHS.

Coming from teaching at a slightly smaller school than Walpole High, Donohue said, “The camaraderies, the discussions, and the personalities coming together makes coming to work a very easy task.” Despite other job offers from schools in Massachusetts, Donohue chose Walpole High School.

While Donohue radiates kindness, he is also extremely open-minded and willing to listen to everyone’s ideas and opinions.  Donohue said,  “ I take everybody’s perspective first before making any action and jumping to any conclusion.”  He tries to create an atmosphere that allows students to feel they can approach him and in response, he will listen understandingly.

Considering students’ individual goals, and with an open mind towards teaching new curriculums, Donohue proved to be the department head and teacher that the school was looking for.  Walpole High School certainly welcomes Donohue as both students and faculty members anticipate a great future for him.