Summerville High School’s Dr. Michelle Leviner named a News 2 Cool Teacher

Very smart, funny, genuine, and cool are just some of the words Summerville High School students and school leaders use repeatedly when they talk about Media Technology and Math teacher Mrs. Kelly Donoghue, and for us here at News 2, we can add three more words to the list: talented former colleague. 

Dorchester District Two for our last Cool School Teacher report for the 2024-2025 school year.

Kelly Donoghue has been a teacher at Summerville High School for 12 years, teaching Math and Engineering. 

She is in her ninth year as the Media Technology teacher, teaching a film and broadcasting course. It’s a role that comes easily for her. 

The New Jersey native made her way to the Palmetto State 25 years ago and served as a chief photojournalist for News 2 for six years.  

After the birth of her first daughter, the mother of two changed course. She went back to school and received her master’s degree in Secondary Education, specializing in Math from the Citadel.

“I really enjoyed teaching when I started.  It was something that was fun for me. People had to listen to me because I think I’m funny sometimes, so to have a captive audience was really something I enjoyed,” said Donoghue. “I didn’t realize how much of an impact it would have on my life. I didn’t realize how much the kids would change me, and I would change them. I know we talk a lot about the impact teachers have on students, but students have an impact on teachers, too. They are like our children.  I do think those relationships we build with those kids…is probably the most important thing we do all day.”

Donoghue began her career in education teaching Math and Engineering. Due to her background in television news, she was asked to teach Media Technology, a film and broadcasting course. 

“She is really an amazing teacher, who has served in a lot of different ways. She’s been a math teacher, an engineering teacher, and now she’s our Wave TV teacher,” said Summerville High School Principal Dr. Michelle Leviner. “We’re really excited because she brings real-world experience coming from News 2 and the media. To bring that genre and experience to our students so they can learn and experience it. We are the only school in Dorchester District Two to have a news media program, so it’s exciting for our kids.  We’re very, very lucky to have her, and she’s an integral part of the Green Wave.”

Media Technology has a weekly news show that shares stories developed by students that impact or celebrate the lives of other students, complete with weekly news meetings, with Donoghue serving as the news director. 

In this class, students create a short film from start to finish.  Donoghue says, “Every time they make an accomplishment in my classroom, or in their own life, it’s a big deal, and I like to celebrate those things with them. They’re amazing kids.” 

“I think she’s the coolest teacher here. Ms. Donoghue she was just such a great teacher, so fun to be around, so funny, always super helpful. I couldn’t help myself to come back the next year, and the year after that, and I’m here again. I think she’s a great person. I think genuinely one of the best teachers we have at this school, because she is passionate about what she does and she’s also skilled in it.  I just want to thank her for being the amazing woman that she is and for teaching us so many lessons over the years,” said eleventh-grade student Dominique Dawson.

Senior Solomon Mellott says, “I don’t think she realizes how much of an impact she has had on me,  but she definitely has.  Mrs. Donoghue is one of, if not the most influential, people in my life besides my mom. When I came to my freshman year in her classroom, at the time I wanted to be a librarian or astronaut, then through her exposing me to journalism and teaching me how everything works, I realized the love I have for every part of the process, and I realized what I want to do.  She’s really funny and really smart, and she’s really really good at identifying what different students’ strengths are and directing them toward what they need to do.”

Next school year, Mrs. Donoghue is hoping to start a podcast for the program.  When asked how she feels being named a Cool School Teacher, she responds, “Kind of crazy to think that I’m cool.  I think my younger daughter would disagree, but I think I’m cool you know.  I’m just excited that somebody else noticed, excited.  I’m kind of a geek.  I’m kind of a nerd.  I joke and kid around, but I wouldn’t think they view me as cool, so it’s neat to see they think I’m cool too.  I think I’m cool, but they think I’m cool. I’m not brainwashing them or anything, laugh.”

Although the story of her classroom journey has a unique beginning. Donoghue says she is thankful for her new focus. “The kids are what make it worth it at the end of the day.  You don’t have to pay me a ton of money,  you don’t have to tell me you like me every day.  It’s about the kids.  It’s about doing what’s best for the kids.  At the end of the day, it’s about being here for them.  I’m just very Blessed, very Blessed.”

Even though the school year is wrapping up, you can still nominate a Cool School, Teacher, or Principal for this upcoming school year.  Send an email to Octavia Mitchell at [email protected].