TEACHERS
OF THE
YEAR HERBERT OHTA
HIGH SCHOOL
SPECIAL EDUCATION
MATHEMATICS TEACHER AT FAIRFAX
HIGH SCHOOL, IN
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA
remember that you have
the potential for impacting
at least one life each day.

Every day you walk into
your classroom, you need
to remind yourself of this
one question, “How do I
want to be remembered?”
NOMINATED BY:
KELLY G.

Mr. Ohta has worked
with my son in
special education for
the past two years in
both Algebra 1 and
Geometry. Doctors
said my son would
never be able to
do math. It is still
diffi cult, but through
Mr. Ohta’s patience,
kindness and extra
work, he has been
able to teach him.

My son even passed
his Algebra SOL last
spring! The countless after-
school hours that Mr.

Ohta spends with
students on his own
time takes him over-
the-top from a great
teacher to the most
amazing teacher.

Do you have any tried
and trusted ideas or
activities for motivating
students? Why do you think
teachers are important?
Every one of us can point
to a teacher who has had
a lasting impact on our
lives both positively and
negatively. As teachers,
we have a tremendous
responsibility, because
we have the power to
shape how students
view themselves and the
world around them. I take
this responsibility very
seriously, and it is an honor
and privilege to serve my
students each day.

What’s your funniest
teaching moment?
SPONSORED BY:
20 August 2017
During an after-school
study session, I was
working with a student
who was seated next to
me. At the same time, I
was also working on an
answer key for the next
day’s mathematics lesson.

As is customary for me
to do, I wrote “Key” in the
space reserved for the
name of the student as
washingtonFAMILY.com I take this
responsibility very seriously,
and it is an
honor and
privilege to
serve my
students each day.

a way to remind myself
that this is a sheet with
worked-out solutions.

While I was helping the
student, the student
inquisitively looked over at
my paper and asked, “Who
is Key?”
What advice would you
give to aspiring teachers?
Teaching is hard work!
There will be days when
you will wonder why you
are here and whether you
are making a difference.

In those moments,
I challenge students
without exasperating
them. Students should be
challenged enough that
it is uncomfortable, but
not to the extent that it is
beyond their capabilities.

Students will rise to the
occasion. Therefore, do
not lower standards
to meet benchmarks.

When students rise to
the occasion, praise them
and sincerely encourage
them to repeat their
success. However, as is in
any challenging endeavor,
some students will fail and
when that happens—help
the students fi gure out
how to succeed the next
time. What are three things
you use in your
classroom everyday and
could never live without?
The three things I need
in my classroom everyday
are grace, patience and
faith. Grace because
no matter how much I
think I know—I still make
mistakes and need the
forgiveness of my students.

Patience because, at times,
the students will test every
fi ber of my being. Finally,
faith because I need to
believe that what we are
doing has a far greater
impact than what we
could ever imagine or
hope for.