S. Paschal Otto (1922-1967) Science Teacher, College Faculty, and Science Curriculum

Otto, Paschal, OSB.jpg

S. Paschal Otto

Sister Paschal (Dorothy) Otto was born in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, on August 7, 1922, the daughter of Christian and Pauline (Janssen). She transferred to the College of St. Benedict as a sophomore and graduated in 1943 with a B.A. in mathematics and minors in physics, chemistry, and philosophy, and entered the community. She began her teaching career in 1945 and taught chemistry, physics, physical science, and earth science throughout her career, serving on both high school and college faculties at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud, 5-6 grade in Watkins, MN, and the College of St. Benedict  She obtained a M.S. in chemistry from Notre Dame in 1964. Some of her research included work in the tranquilization of mums that led to the development of 6” plants for indoor use rather than 18-30”  She was one of three florists to be a part of a national experiment with Bachman’s. She also studied at the University of Minnesota, St. Thomas University, and trained at the Institute for Teachers of Physical Science at the University of Minnesota.

Sister Paschal was well known for her contributions to the science curriculum for the Catholic Diocese and at the college level, which impacted teaching science in schools even today. Because of her ability and passion for science, she was chosen to become the chair of the St. Cloud Diocesan Science Education Committee. Under her leadership, she organized workshops for teachers in Catholic elementary schools in the diocese. The belief in "hands-on" science curriculum was noted in those who worked with her in the workshops and in writing the curriculum. More than 128 teachers attended these workshops throughout the year, including units on “Rocks and Mineral”, “Living Things,” and “Electricity”.  Many other sisters helped in the writing of curriculum units as time went on. When awarded a three-year grant in1967 for $61,449 from the Louis W. and Maud Hill Family Foundation for upgrading elementary and junior high science curriculum, a letter to Sister Paschal from the Executive Director of the Foundation said, “the director and staff of the foundation believe your program can have a decided effect on the science curriculum of our schools. We trust that the findings and benefits of your study will not be limited to elementary and junior high schools in the St. Cloud area, but efforts will be to make it available to as wide a group as possible”.  One of the ideas proposed by Sister Paschal was "master teachers" would become involved and teach classroom teachers and a series of audio-tutorial independent series for in-service and future teachers to improve content knowledge and the handling of laboratory materials. This was a great stimulus for the improvement and enhancement of science education in our schools. 

On the college level, Sister Paschal also worked on the science curriculum. In 1966-67 she piloted a program with the National Science Foundation with her physical science classes for non-majors, specifically targeting elementary teachers to investigate scientific problems. This program was taught in only 24 colleges in the country. She attended a two-week training in Troy, New York, and received $1800 worth of materials and equipment for laboratory work connected to the program. The results from this study were to impact the science curriculum in the following years. Outside the classroom, she was in charge of the campus textbook store and found time for nature study, reading, listening to music, and photography. 

Sister Paschal suddenly died on May 25, 1967, due to an undetected congenital heart defect. Her work with the science curriculum was carried on by Sister Margaret Van Kempen. A scholarship was established by her brother in memory of her mother Pauline and was later changed to include Paschal, which offers substantial help to one student each year.

Sisters in the Schools
S. Paschal Otto (1922-1967) Science Teacher, College Faculty, and Science Curriculum