O.K., let's first answer one of the most important questions in the St. Louis area . . . "Where did you go to high school?" I graduated from Ladue Horton Watkins in 1985 where I was a member of the National Honor Society, president of the L-Club (now known as the Blue Crew which promotes school spirit), co-president of Big Sisters and played four years each of tennis, basketball and soccer. I was voted Most Athletic by my classmates. In 1994, I returned to Ladue School District as a teacher at Conway Elementary and tennis coach. I coached the Ladue Varsity Girl's Tennis Team for 13 years.

I graduated with a B.A. in Psychology/Sociology from Maryville College (now University) where I also earned an MVP award for playing tennis and a Sportsmanship award while playing soccer. After graduating, I went back to coach the women's tennis team and received the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Women's Tennis Coach of the Year. I also coached the men's tennis team at Webster University. Along the way, Coach Donohue earned a teaching certification as well as a Masters in Education from the University of Missouri - St. Louis.

I still enjoy playing numerous sports. My husband Michael and I like to swing the clubs on the golf course, raise a 'lil racquet on the tennis court, field softballs on the diamond as well as engage in some hiking, kayaking and walking with our yellow lab Delray. Yes, Delray likes to be the Captain of the kayak. Aside from physical activities, I also like to read, do volunteer work and try my hand with home projects.

In my post-graduate studies, it was highly stressed to teach the whole child and I like to refer to it as the "CAP" . . . Cognitive, Affective and Psychomotor. I find this fitting as a Physical Education teacher and also due to the fact that I receive my best scores from my "student hair-raters" when I wear a baseball cap . . . with my hair pulled through the opening. Yes, even students know how to give specific feedback.

What is something unique about me aside from going back and coaching at both my high school and college alma maters? My husband and I were extras for the St. Louis filming in July 2003 of the movie The Game of Their Lives which is based on the 1950 US World Cup soccer team and the 1-0 victory over England in Brazil. My grandfather, Walter Giesler, was the general manager of that team and we thought it would be neat to get involved. Needless to say, we didn't make it to the big screen and our $41.20 for 8 hours of work has been spent. However, I did develop a new-found respect for those in the movie-making industry. I am definitely not cut-out (no pun intended) for acting. Thankfully, I found my true passion in teaching. I tip my CAP to all of you for allowing me to share in the cognitive, affective and psychomotor growth of your child(ren).

In conclusion, I look forward to having fun while teaching and learning along with my students, including those who are children of some of my high school classmates as well as my brothers' classmates.

In Fun-n-Fitness,
Coach (Donohue) Chapin

Contact Information:

Email: achapin@ladue.k12.mo.us

Voicemail: 983-5812