“A Calling in Life”

Tim O’Keefe Inspires Students to Live Purposefully

By Sam Tarter ’21

Before graduating from St. Louis U. High, students are called to embody – among several fundamental aspects of becoming a Man for Others – intellectual competence. In the Graduate at Graduation document, intellectual competence is described as “seeing his intelligence as a gift intended to be used for the greater glory of God.” Not only is intellectual competence essential to gaining the skills and foundation for a profession, but it is integral to developing a sense of purpose and mission in their life’s work, and using their knowledge to support and aid others.

Tim O’Keefe – now approaching his 37th year of serving as a teacher, coach, club moderator and department chair – has supported and inspired both students and faculty as an exemplary model of intellectual competence, encouraging those he mentors to continue learning, growing and living with purpose.

O’Keefe was heavily inspired to teach by his late father, John O’Keefe ‘55, a mathematics teacher and coach at John Burroughs School.

“Watching my dad teach and watching him coach really is what made me want to become a teacher,” says O’Keefe. “I saw the kind of joy that he had from that. I saw the kind of connections that he had with his students and with his players, and he's probably the person I've looked up to most in my life, so I really wanted to kind of be like him as much as possible.” 

Those same joys and connections with students are replicated time and again by O’Keefe, who keeps his classes not only engaging, but fun. Whether students are learning about thermoreceptors by sticking their fingers into ice water, or distinguishing between taste and smell by trying Starbursts while pinching their nose, O’Keefe ensures an active classroom environment to help his students get the most out of each lesson and to learn in a more tangible way.

“If somebody were to walk into my classroom, one of the things I would want them to see is that we're having fun, that we’re enjoying ourselves,” O’Keefe adds. “I'm a believer that the best way you can learn, or the way you're going to learn more, is if you're excited to go to that class. One of the great things about teaching science is that you get to be active. You can really do experiential stuff. You can do things that are enjoyable as a good way to learn it.”

Beyond fostering an engaging classroom environment, O’Keefe also prioritizes growth and rigor in each of his classes. One of the more fulfilling aspects of his job, he mentions, is when he can support a student who is struggling in his class or with science overall. He emphasizes the importance of helping students develop the essential study skills and habits for not only school, but life in general. Recently, O’Keefe has applied this love of supporting students and guiding them through the challenges of science by tutoring in the SciLab, run by the learning center, where he specifically helps with Biology. 

“I really feel like it's helping them to see that a lot of times, if they work at it, they can have success,” says O’Keefe. “I'll fill in the details or explain what we did in the activity, but they're learning by doing things themselves, and then I act as a facilitator to help them with that and encourage them.”

Since starting at SLUH in 1989, O’Keefe has taught the same two classes: freshman Biology and Honors Anatomy and Physiology to seniors. When it comes to reteaching the same lessons and classes, O’Keefe never tires of it, as he’s been in love with psychology, genetics and the functions of the body since before undergrad. He also loves teaching one of the most foundational courses of science, and takes pride in the many avenues and opportunities for continued learning that his department provides.

“I feel like at SLUH, we do a good job of teaching the fundamentals: biology, chemistry and physics the first three years,” O’Keefe mentions. “And then senior year, students really have that opportunity to learn about multiple different aspects of different sciences. There's so many different areas and aspects of science and so many different avenues, and we’re hoping to connect them with something that really excites them.”

Among the many different scientific pathways that students can pursue, O’Keefe has always valued medicine, which led to him founding and moderating the Medical Careers Club. Originally started in the 1990s as an email chain that connected students with summer programs at local universities, the club has grown and expanded into a way of providing hands-on experience and knowledge about what a job in medicine looks like, and bringing some of those opportunities to SLUH. Between guest speakers on campus, participating in events and programs at Washington University and Saint Louis University, and simply learning beyond the science classes at SLUH, O’Keefe has inspired both current and former students alike in learning more about different kinds of medicine and navigating both their academic and professional futures.

“The Medical Careers Club played a pivotal role in my decision to pursue medicine in college,” says Jack DuMont ’22, a senior at Saint Louis University who plans to attend medical school after graduation. “Mr. O’Keefe brought in medical and research professionals from a range of fields, exposing me to ideas and opportunities I had never before considered.”

One of the most meaningful experiences that the Medical Careers Club provides is the yearly blood drive (the most recent one receiving 52 donations in 2025). By running the drives themselves and witnessing the direct impact of their efforts, club members can better understand how medicine combines with the service and support of others, something that O’Keefe claims is one of the most impactful aspects of his vocation at SLUH.

“(What) really touches my heart and is the most rewarding is when a kid… wants to go out and do good in the world. That's the coolest thing for me … when those students are going out and they're helping people. And I, on a very small level, get to be part of that,” O’Keefe mentions.

Along with moderating clubs and previously coaching freshman football and wrestling, O’Keefe also served SLUH as the science department chair from 2019 to May of 2025. During his six-year run, O’Keefe updated lab technologies, ensured every teacher was teaching the classes that they wanted, and maintained a bond between the team during the pandemic. 

According to Robyn Wellen, the current science department chair, “Tim as department chair was a great experience. He worked so hard to build relationships and make our collection of teachers a team. Tim was very thoughtful … and was always there to listen to you and to represent your wishes to the best of his ability. These are things I am trying to continue as the new science department chair.” 

Along with captaining the team into great innovation and success, O’Keefe also used his knowledge and passion for teaching to inspire his colleagues and develop the same excitement for science from his classroom within the office. 

“One of the best parts of working with Tim is his enthusiasm and love for teaching,” says Megan Menne, former biology teacher and current assistant principal for activities and formation. “You can go to him with an idea to dissect a shark, and Tim will excitedly jump in and help plan. He goes all in, and his energy that can often be heard down the hallway is contagious to both teachers and students.”

This school year, O’Keefe is back to teaching four sections full-time, giving his full attention to and maintaining what he referred to as his life’s purpose.

“My heart is in the classroom, teaching the kids. I really do feel like it's what I'm meant to do. It's like a calling in life.”
– Tim O'Keefe 

Ultimately, O’Keefe emphasizes that he not only wants his students to improve in their knowledge of science, medicine and study habits, but that he wants them to develop a greater sense of self-appreciation and confidence in their own abilities. 

“To help students see what they're capable of is a huge thing … for them to believe in themselves. And I think that's a secret in life, is to learn to believe in yourself. To be persistent and show perseverance,” O’Keefe notes. “And it's amazing what you can accomplish when you come into things with that attitude. A big thing for me is just helping students feel that, to see that. A lot of times, I think when people look at themselves, they tend to look at what they're not doing well, or maybe what's wrong, and they don't see themselves the way I believe God sees them, which is that they're a wonderful person, and that they are capable of great things.”

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About the Author
Sam Tarter ’21 recently graduated from the University of Evansville, where he received a bachelor of fine arts in literature and creative writing. As one of the first members of the SLUH Alumni Service Corps, Sam has been teaching two sections of English II while also supporting the campus ministry and advancement departments. After concluding his time as an ASC, he plans to stay in St. Louis to earn his teacher's certification and continue pursuing a career in both the education and nonprofit fields.