Recognizing Edward L. Donnellan, Jr. As the Winner of the 2025 Mary K. Bonstell Teacher of the Year Award

Floor Speech

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Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Ed Donnella, originally from Springfield, Massachusetts, who recently was honored by the Organization of American Historians (OAH) as the winner of the prestigious 2025 Mary K. Bonstell Teacher of the Year Award. He currently is a U.S. History and Government teacher at Gonzaga High School in Washington, D.C.

The award was given at the OAH annual meeting last April in Chicago and was presented by Pulitzer Prize winning author and historian David Blight. The citation reads in part: ``Mr. Donnellan has worked diligently to expand the teaching of history regarding slavery and social justice issues. He created pioneering student-led research in the role of Gonzaga College High School's history with slavery, leading seminars and presentations over this material at both local and national venues.''

Ed Donnellan grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts and graduated from the University of Massachusetts and Springfield College where he studied history. He has been teaching high school for thirty-nine years. Teaching the history of slavery took on greater meaning when Ed led a group of Gonzaga students on a three-year journey to research Gonzaga's historical ties with slavery. Working at the Georgetown University archives, the students read 19th century financial records that showed the school was built with profits from Jesuit run slave plantation in Southern Maryland. The students also identified five enslaved persons who worked at the school. Reckoning with this history has been challenging and continues to this day.

As a teacher for over forty years, including U.S. History, I understand the complex issue of teaching ``difficult histories.'' It is vital that students get a full picture of the American experience; history that we are proud of and history that is hard to hear. Learning the challenging parts of our history ensures that future generations can learn from mistakes of the previous. That is why it is important to recognize educators like Ed Donnellan and encourage others to follow in his footsteps.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Ed Donnellan and wish him continued success in educating students on America's past.

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