After 35 years of teaching, many would feel burnout, ready for well-deserved respite, but for Tom Connell, he found he still had more to give.

Connell had been going on five years of retirement when he returned to Edina High School as a long-term substitute for AP Psychology and AP World History, both of which he had never taught.

Connell credited an Argentina trip he accompanied EHS students on as inspiring him to return to teaching.

“I remember thinking I still [had] energy for kids,” Connell said.

He originally signed up for daily substitute teaching but found the school did not have a large need for that position.

Luckily for Connell, Madelynne Steenwyk had taken maternity leave, and EHS had trouble finding a replacement.

Steenwyk taught two AP classes, which prevented many from taking the position. When the administration asked Connell if he would be open to taking the job, he accepted.

“I was kind of drawn to the challenge,” Connell said.

The transition back into teaching was far from seamless, but for Connell, the easiest part was getting along with the students.

“That’s something I enjoy, and I have always been pretty skilled at,” he said.

Even though both of the classes he was responsible for were new to him, he discovered that his experience teaching AP U.S. History carried over to AP World History, and his time teaching Standard Psychology made him familiar with AP Psychology.

At this point in the semester, AP World History and AP Psychology students are working on common essays like the DBQ and EBQ, whose grading styles have changed since Connell last taught at EHS. While the style shift is a challenge, he is willing to put in the work.

“I just got done grading one hundred DBQs for AP World, [but] I took it on, and I’m glad I did,” Connell said.

This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on April 9, 2026