Donald Sweeney has been a part of the Upper School science department since 1999. He currently teaches AP Physics B, AP Physics C, AP Physics Lab and Physics 2. A native of Ireland, he holds a B.S. and an H.D. E. from University College, Cork, Ireland as well as an M.Ed. from Leslie University.
What has been your favorite thing about teaching at Darlington?
My favorite thing about teaching at Darlington is that the students are very respectful and easy to teach. Also, the other teachers are very supportive.
Why did you decide to become a physics teacher?
I preferred math and physics in high school and I really liked solving difficult problems. In Ireland, teaching physics was a better career choice than working in industry, which is why I became a physics teacher.
How do you keep your curriculum fresh and up to date?
I take AP courses and go to AP conferences to keep up to date on the newest things being introduced into physics and to incorporate new ideas into the curriculum. I also read science magazines to see what is happening in the science community.
What do you hope your students that have graduated say about you?
I hope they say that I was very fair and that I gave them a chance to learn physics and didn’t switch people off without giving them a chance. I also hope they say that I was able to make physics seem interesting to them.
What will you miss the most about Darlington when you retire at the end of the school year?
I will miss the friendships I have established with the other teachers. It’s almost like we are one big family. I will also miss the satisfaction of seeing students learn and understand complex ideas.
