By Torie Wright
How long have you been teaching at Ada High School?
I began my 35th year on Aug. 18.
What do you do at ONU?
I instruct labs for first year chemistry students. My normal assignments are Engineering Chemistry in the fall and Introductory Chemistry (mainly pharmacy/biology majors) in the spring.
Where did you attend college?
I got my bachelor’s degree in chemistry from ONU in 1980. I completed a master’s degree at The University of Findlay in 2005.
What jobs did you have while you were in college? How much did you get paid?
My main summer job while I was in college was at the Coca Cola bottling plant in Lima. I worked there for four summers as a general worker mainly filling in for guys on vacation. I made the grand sum of $2.75/hour, which I thought was excellent as it was above minimum wage at the time.
At what point in your life did you realize you wanted to be a teacher?
When I was in college, I began doing field experience. Until that time, I did not have much of a desire to teach. When I started working in area high schools and found how satisfying and rewarding it could be, I knew it would be my life-long profession. Now, I can’t imagine doing anything else. I have gained so much from teaching such great students in Ada. What a blessing they have been to me. I wish I could thank each and every one personally.
Had you not pursued teaching, what profession might have you entered?
I desperately wanted to play second base for the Cincinnati Reds but I couldn’t hit, throw, run or catch. I still don’t see why they refused to sign me! At one time, before I discovered teaching, I had planned to become an industrial chemist.
Have you ever given a question on a test that absolutely no one could answer correctly?
Of course. Try this one: Which would you rather have, a peanut butter sandwich or eternal happiness? The answer: the peanut butter sandwich. Why? Because nothing is better than eternal happiness and a peanut butter sandwich is better than nothing.
What is your dream vacation?
My sister and I have done extensive research in genealogy and have traced our roots back to Ireland in the 1600s. There is actually a Lusk Cultural Heritage Center just north of Dublin. I would love to go there and see what I can discover about my ancestors. But I seriously doubt it will ever happen. You did say “dream,” right?
Tell me about the first computer you ever owned.
I don’t remember too much about our first computer. It was probably some type of PC since I have never been a big fan of anything made by Apple. I can remember taking a field trip to Findlay College (as it was called at the time) and putting in programs on punch cards. The computer occupied one entire room.
Who has been your greatest source of inspiration in life?
My source of inspiration is my relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Without a personal relationship with Him, living day by day for Him, I would never have accomplished anything in this life. I suppose my faith was developed while watching my father, without a doubt the best man I ever knew. My father battled heart disease his entire life, suffered two heart attacks before the age of 42 and died at 56. Through it all, his faith in God never wavered and he never question God’s plan for his life.
Since his death, I have drawn much support and encouragement from my family who has always supported and encouraged me. I have always said my wife has been to more games, concerts, plays and musicals than any teacher on staff.
