She provides expertise to institutions, organizations and individuals in instructional leadership, fostering the development of effective systems, and cultivating a unified culture.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL, October 31, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Denise T. O'Connor has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Ms. O'Connor is lauded for her dedication to instructional leadership as the chief executive officer of Onyx Educational Consulting LLC. In this role since 2024, she provides expertise to institutions, organizations and individuals in instructional leadership, fostering the development of effective systems, and cultivating a unified culture that prioritizes academic success, positive behavior, and a supportive climate.
Before launching her consulting company, Ms. O'Connor spent 30 years in education. In 2024, she retired from the Palm Beach County School District as a principal at Congress Middle School. Her tenure at the middle school from 2013 to 2024 was marked by significant achievements, to include preparing students for college and career by increasing high school credit courses at the middle school level and infusing a STEAM curriculum within all content areas. Ms. O'Connor was also a principal at Palm Springs Elementary School between 2005 and 2013 and an assistant principal at Egret Lake Elementary from 2001 to 2005. Before stepping into administration, she was a special education teacher for students with specific learning disabilities between 1994 and 2001 and was recognized for demonstrating her leadership capabilities. She was nominated twice as a teacher for the William T. Dwyer Award for Excellence in Education.
Ms. O'Connor's journey into education was inspired by her first-grade teacher at Broadway Elementary School in Miami. Overcoming challenges related to her Jamaican accent, she flourished under the guidance of supportive educators. This experience fueled her passion for ensuring all students receive the support they need to succeed academically and personally.
In preparation for her future, Ms. O'Connor received a Bachelor of Science in Special Education, summa cum laude, from the University of South Florida in 1994 and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership, magna cum laude, from Florida Atlantic University in 2000.
Aside from her work-related activities, Ms. O'Connor has been civically active. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was a former youth director at her church and participated on the education advisory board for the city of Boynton Beach.. She continues to volunteer for various local initiatives to include through initiatives such as the Multicultural festival and educational mission trips to Haiti. Ms. O'Connor has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to education and leadership development throughout her career. Her efforts have transformed schools and enriched countless students' lives throughout her community and abroad.
Recognizing her accomplishments, the Florida Department of Education honored Ms. O'Connor as a Turnaround Principal in 2007 for her work at Palm Springs Elementary School. As principal at Congress Middle School she was named Palm Beach School Counselor Association Middle School Administrator of the Year in 2016, Palm Beach County School District 2017 Family and Community Involvement Award presented to our "Boys and Blue" Mentoring Program. In 2017 Florida PTA & State Farm Insurance Family and Community Involvement Award – Secondary Region V and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Stellar Performer in Education Award in 2013.
Throughout her career Ms. O'Connor attributes her success to implementing the ABC system of leadership for single school culture, which stands for Academics, Behavior and Culture. Her focus was on ensuring equity and access for all students and fostering a positive school environment. She credits her parents Trevor and Avril O'Connor for their unwavering support and inspiration.
As she prepares for future accomplishments, Ms. O'Connor remains dedicated to expanding the impact of Onyx Educational Consulting LLC by mentoring and coaching aspiring leaders and new principals to foster thriving communities. Additionally, she is actively planning workshops on estate planning and retirement to provide valuable guidance in these critical areas.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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