To donate to the Katherine M. O’Donnell Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers, please visit our webpage. If you have questions, contact Tracy Snyder, Donor Engagement Officer, Development and Alumni Relations Office, Bank Street College, at tsnyder@bankstreet.edu.
This spring, the Katherine M. O’Donnell Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers was established in honor of Katherine (Katy) O’Donnell, a beloved former faculty member of Bank Street Graduate School of Education who dedicated her life to education and made a profound impact through her decades-long career.
Funded by Thomas Gargiulo, a close friend and former colleague of Katy, the scholarship honors Katy’s legacy following her passing on January 6, 2025. The fund will offer support to graduate students pursuing careers in education across various settings.
“Bank Street is proud to establish this scholarship in honor of Katy O’Donnell for her exceptional leadership and many contributions to the Graduate School, and we greatly appreciate Thomas Gargiulo for his commitment to celebrating her legacy by supporting future educators for years to come,” said Marcela Hahn, Vice President, Development, Bank Street College. “This scholarship will help aspiring educators take the next step in their careers with the financial support they need to succeed.”
Born in 1933 in Poughkeepsie, New York, Katy graduated with a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Buffalo, a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota, and a doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University. She was inspired by Eleanor Roosevelt, a longtime resident of nearby Hyde Park whose dedication to social justice, education, and service helped shape Katy’s work.
Throughout her career at Bank Street, Katy held numerous leadership roles at the Graduate School of Education, including acting dean, chair of the teacher education department, and director of the Leadership in Museum Education Program, among others.
Augusta (Gussie) Kappner, former president of Bank Street College, who appointed Katy as acting dean of the Graduate School of Education following a careful selection process, shared her reflections on Katy’s lasting contributions.
“Katy had a very broad impact on the institution as someone who took on almost every imaginable role at Bank Street. She mentored a large number of people across the community, served on many committees, and was always generous with her time,” said Kappner. “She was kind, dependable, and tuned into others’ feelings. Katy was a gentle but decisive person who could advocate for something she believed in and what she felt was right.”
In addition to her leadership roles, Katy contributed to several notable projects that enriched both the institution and the broader educational community.
For example, she helped lead a collaboration between Bank Street and Parsons School of Design to create a Bank Street master’s degree program in Education with a Specialization in Supervision and Administration and a Visual Arts Focus. This innovative partnership aimed to bridge the fields of art and education, providing graduate students with a unique opportunity to deepen their expertise and develop the skills to take on leadership roles in schools, cultural institutions, and other settings.
Additionally, Katy helped expand Bank Street’s impact globally through her work at the Rato Bangala School in Nepal. During her visits, she facilitated professional development for teachers, helping provide high-quality learning experiences grounded in Bank Street’s approach to communities far beyond New York City.
“Katy believed deeply in the transformative power of education to improve the life chances for underserved populations,” said Fern Khan, Dean Emerita of the Bank Street Division of Continuing Education and Trustee, who worked with Katy throughout her tenure at Bank Street. “She imbued all the values Bank Street has about creating a just and equitable society.”
Katy’s commitment to education extended through her professional collaborations with Gargiulo. Over the years, they partnered together on several education initiatives, including a project in the South Bronx to strengthen the leadership team at a public elementary school. Their approach combined Katy’s expertise in teacher education with Gargiulo’s background in psychology to improve the quality of education in the school with a focus on both professional training and emotional support for staff. The two also shared expansive global adventures—from traveling to Morocco, Scotland, and France to studying Spanish together in Spain—reflecting the spirit of lifelong learning and curiosity that Katy upheld throughout her career at Bank Street.
“Katy was a remarkable person, someone who everyone could count on. She always regarded people well, respected their intelligence and viewpoints, and navigated challenges with calmness and grace. Bank Street was at the center of her life for many years, and she cared deeply about the work and mission of the institution,” said Gargiulo. “I am proud to honor her legacy with this scholarship, which will support aspiring educators through the Bank Street approach to teaching and learning that Katy championed throughout her life.”
In recognition of her work, Katy received the Bank Street College Alumni Association’s 2009 Ida Karp Award, which honors an individual with consistent and outstanding dedication to the College, its philosophy, and its goals.
The Katherine M. O’Donnell Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers will offer financial support to eligible students in need who apply for aid across teacher education and leadership programs. This includes fields central to Katy’s legacy, such as Museum Education and Educational Leadership, as well as other areas of study.
For more information about scholarships, visit our Scholarships and Grants Page.