Westlake Science Teacher Named Outstanding Educator

Westlake High School science teacher Keith Ohnhaus was named the Ohio PTA District 12 Outstanding Educator. District 12 covers the outer ring of Cuyahoga County. 

Ohnhaus, who was nominated for the award by a Westlake parent, has been with the Westlake Schools since 2005. He previously taught science at Firestone High School in Akron, and he is an adjunct instructor in the Cuyahoga Community College Health Careers & Sciences Department.

Ohnhaus has been the recipient of the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Youth Sconce Opportunities, the Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction Award from the National Society of High School Scholars, the Outstanding District Educator Award from Westlake Schools and Teacher of the Year for Akron Public Schools.

He is a member of the Golden Key National Honors Society, National Association of Biology Teachers, and International Honor and Professional Association in Education.

Ohnhaus oversees 12 science teachers as the WHS Science Department chair. At WHS he created the AP Human Anatomy and Physiology course for students interested in pursuing this career path after graduation. At the collegiate level he created/designed two courses – Human Biology lecture and Human Biology laboratory – using the online web-based education program BlackBoard.

He describes his educational philosophy as using real-life application and setting a positive learning environment.

“When students perform hands-on laboratories, experiments and activity in my class that apply class concepts, they get a greater grasp of the topic and have performed better on assessments,” he said. “When the classroom environment is inviting and comfortable to a student, they are more eager to come to class and work hard to be successful.”

In her nomination letter, parent Cathy Axcell said Ohnhaus maintains a high level of intensity from the beginning of the course to the end of the year.

“The content and his teaching style challenge and motivate the students for excellence,” Axcell said. “Keith exemplifies our school district’s mission … He educates for excellence, pushes students to reach their academic potential and cares about his students’ success.”