Students Were Frightened Of Their Teacher Until His Double Life Was Revealed

What Was He Hiding Behind His Teacher Persona

Schoolteacher Jim O’Connor had a reputation for being one of the school’s most feared teachers. Each day, the old man seemed frustrated, tired and seemingly on edge. His students were careful not to anger their short-tempered algebra teacher.

Notorious For His Temper

O’Connor had quite the fearsome reputation amongst the many students of St. Francis High School. “It drives me crazy when people say that school should be fun, I mean, it’s nice if it could be, but you can’t make school fun, ” says O’Connor.

No Soft Side Here

He was a well-respected, qualified teacher. Yet O’Connor was known for his harsh and often cold temperament. “If you look at the clock, you’re on his bad list for the rest of class,” student Michael Tinglof told the Los Angeles Times.  Many students feared him.

The Wrath Of O’Connor

Another senior, Pat McGoldrick, added that before new students eventually get to know Mr O’Connor, “everybody thinks he’s being really mean.” The teacher has said: “You want to teach a class with 30 boys, you’ve got to be strict.”  He demanded the utmost respect from his many students.