Queens teacher wins $25K state prize for building chicken coops in her school to help special needs kids learn
When Alanna O'Donnell arrived at her Queens classroom Friday, the last thing she expected was to be surprised with a massive $25,000 check.
The PS 117 educator always keeps her special needs students at the top of mind, which is exactly what made her one of this year's winners of the FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence.
'This is probably one of the most humbling experiences of my adult life and I'm just honored and grateful to be part of the 177 family,' O'Donnell told The Post as the excitement and surprise partially began to settle in.
5 Alanna O'Donnell was chosen as one of six 2025 FLAG Award winners.
James Messerschmidt
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O'Donnell, 46, is one of six teachers across the five boroughs to have been chosen for this year's FLAG Award, which honors educators who 'inspire learning through creativity, passion, and commitment.'
She was chosen among a whopping 1,600 nominations — and she has one of her students' parents to thank for quietly throwing her hat in the ring.
O'Donnell, a city department of education veteran of 12 years, was chosen for her intense dedication to her tiny special needs classroom at PS 117, Robin Sue Ward School for Exceptional Children — where only one child in her class is able to speak.
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The dedicated teacher built an urban farm and chicken coop using money she secured from a state Department of Agriculture and Markets grant so that her students could run the farm and care for chickens in order to learn responsibility and empathy — traits that are critical for non-verbal people with autism to attain well-being and independence.
5 O'Donnell was awarded a $25,000 unrestricted cash prize, while PS 117 was given another $10,000 to be used for her farming and Pink Lady initiatives.
James Messerschmidt
Her students help tend the herbs, vegetables and flowers as well as the 7 hens and two small chicks.
When the birds lay their eggs, typically one per day, O'Donnell sells them for $5 a dozen — and she revealed theirs a waiting list for the 'under market value' eggs.
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'It took a few weeks but when [the chickens] got here, there was a lot of like, 'Oh, don't squeeze the neck, don't pop the beak, but you can see that my kids walk them without issue, hug them and hold them and will clean up their poop and will gather their eggs, never an issue and it shows the world that these kids have a voice,' O'Donnell beamed.
'They can do a job. There are 99% of New Yorkers who can't do what these kids can do right now.'
5 Only one of O'Donnell's students is verbal.
James Messerschmidt
5 O'Donnell has been teaching within the DOE for 12 years.
James Messerschmidt
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In addition to her city farm, O'Donnell routinely takes her students shopping so they can practice paying, counting change and boost their confidence.
O'Donnell also runs a group she created during the pandemic called the Pink Ladies, made up of current and former female students, for annual launches, providing a crucial social outlet.
The educator thought she was attending an end of the academic year celebration when Principal Christopher Duffy revealed she had won.
O'Donnell covered her face with her hands in shock and shook her head from side to side as she was handed her a massive cardboard check as the auditorium burst into thunderous applause from her students and fellow educators.
5 O'Donnell thought she was attending an end of the year party when she was surprised with the award.
James Messerschmidt
She was given a $25,000 unrestricted cash prize, while PS 117 was given another $10,000 to be used for her farming and Pink Lady initiatives.
'Well, holy moly, I'm sweating like crazy and shaking, but this is amazing and I'm so humbled. To accept an award like this because when one of us shines, we all shine, two, because I'm here at 177,' O'Donnell told the crowd.
Upon learning that a parent had nominated her for the honor made the award that much more special, she told The Post, saying: 'This is probably one of the most humbling experiences of my adult life.'
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She said that field 'is not an easy road,' but 'I get to be the voice for the voiceless … giving my kids a chance to get a job at the farmers market or at the Queens County Farm, wouldn't it be amazing?' she continued.
'If I can be their voice, I'll be the voice and I'll help their parents be their voice too.'
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