With the start of the new year, the high school has welcomed four new teachers. Each teaches a different subject, but all share the same goal of helping their students be the best they can be.
Introducing Ryan Okenfuss, a familiar face. This year, he is teaching math. He started teaching 20 years ago. Okenfuss has not only taught in the classroom, but has helped create many successes on our football team. In 2010 and 2016, he helped push the Dutchmen to the quarterfinals. This year is going to be his first time since 2018 stepping back onto the sidelines. One of the things he was most excited about this school year was reconnecting with the community.
“I’m most excited for being back in the district I grew up in as an educator, and being able to help all my students and future Dutchmen build and grow into young adults”, Okenfuss said.
Another familiar face is Matt Kramme. An Owensville man himself, this is his first year teaching. Kramme wants to grow and become confident as a teacher. He likes to think of it as dipping his feet into the waters of teaching. He wants his students to remember him as a good, positive teacher, just as he remembers some of his own past teachers.
“I want my students to look back 20 years from now and remember Mr.Kramme in a positive light”, Kramme said.
New to the community is Theresa Speizo. She is the new OHS theatre teacher, but she is not new to theatre. She's been very involved in theatre in her life; this past April she helped direct ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at ECC. Her biggest inspiration is her kids and former directors she has worked with. This year she plans on teaching students how to collaborate and build confidence.
“I believe that theatre is the only art form that encompasses all other forms of art; because of this, there is literally a home for everyone”, Speizo said
Now, our last new teacher, introducing Abbie Clonts, who is very excited for this school year. She has a deep devotion to agriculture and a commitment to passing her knowledge to other students who are also passionate about agriculture. She's most excited to learn who her students are, what their goals are, and how she can guide them.
“My end goal is to cultivate agricultural literacy by equipping every student with the knowledge to make informed decisions about the world around them”, Clonts said.
