By Paul Gable
A career in education was only preparation for motivating people throughout the
nation after Dr. Muriel O’Tuel retired from the classroom.
O’Tuel earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from St. Andrews Presbyterian
College in Laurinburg, N.C., her Master’s in Counseling from the University of
Alabama and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Psychology from the University
of South Carolina.
She has taught at all levels of education from elementary school through
university. In addition, O’Tuel was director of guidance in Columbia, S.C.
schools, director of psychological services and staff development in
Summerville, S.C. and assistant to the superintendent of Horry County schools.
“I had a long career in education,” said O’Tuel. “After I retired, I thought
about life and thought I wanted to leave a trail of footprints that symbolize
life.”
For more than a decade, O’Tuel has motivated a variety of audiences including
school, college, business, church and civic organizations throughout the United
States, Europe, mainland China and India.
O’Tuel inspires her audience to feel she has walked in their shoes. She
promotes high ethical standards from a caring heart and a long tradition of
family values.
“I have been able to travel everywhere with my public speaking,” said O’Tuel.
“I speak about how to be a person of value and make a difference in the lives
of others.”
She said her speaking is geared toward growing positive people. O’Tuel inspires
her audience to feel she has walked in their shoes. She promotes high ethical
standards from a caring heart and a long tradition of family values.
“We all know people who are positive and filled with excitement about life,”
she said. “That doesn’t just happen. We have to learn to be positive and stay
positive.”
O’Tuel has published one book, Footprints on the Heart, which leads the reader
on an upward path to achievement and fulfillment.
“It is a book and encouragement that says ‘I can start small and do something
that makes a difference for others,’” said O’Tuel.
Almost done with her second book, Heartprints are Forever, O’Tuel said the book
is about the legacy we leave behind.
“After all is said and done, everyone wants to know that they have made a
difference,” she said. “We all leave heartprints and footprints. We want them
to be positive.”
A future book on parenting will highlight things like generational gifts,
sharing family traditions and values and appreciation, admiration, respect and
love within and among family members.
“The most important thing in the world for anyone is family,” said O’Tuel. “The
legacy we leave them is something to think about, something we leave behind
forever.”
For more information on Dr. Muriel O’Tuel, visit: www.murielotuel.com.
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