College of Education

Alumnus Receives

Prestigious Teaching

Award

(Taken from “Last Month in the College of Education” Volume 3 Issue 3 March 2009 By Cheryl Dudley)

Dennis Ohrtman Received the 2008 Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award

The Humanities focuses on meaning, purpose, and goals in an attempt to understand the human condition. And although society is ever evolving and technology is rapidly changing the way we communicate, the value of self-reflecting on the human state will always hold a place in education.

To appreciate and recognize those dedicated to the humanities disciplines, the Idaho Humanities Council rewards two teachers each year: one elementary and one secondary.

Lewiston High School teacher Dennis Ohrtman was presented the 2008 Outstanding Teacher of the Humanities award at a ceremony on February 9 at the Lewiston High School Library. Only two teachers in the state receive the award each year.

Dennis has taught English, Spanish and Yearbook at Lewiston High School for 28 years. He is a former Associate Professor of Spanish and English at Lewis-Clark State College and a member of the Lewiston City Council. He also participates in community organizations such as the Lewiston City Library, Meals on Wheels, Kiwanis and others.

“It would take about 30 minutes to read Dennis’s list of accomplishments,” said Bill Johnson, Idaho Humanities Council board member who presented the award. “A better question for Dennis would be: what hasn’t he done,” said Johnson. “He’s been in education for 40 years, but his public service extends beyond the classroom to the community.” Dennis’s community involvements include the Idaho Association of Teachers of Languages and Cultures, Professional Standards Commission and the Humanities Standards Achievement Chair for the State Department of Education.

Bob Donaldson, Principal of Lewiston High School, said, “Dennis was already well-known when I met him about 20 years ago. He is a professor with unwavering passion for the humanities. His philosophy and success is in finding and living up to the best of his ability in each moment of life.”

Dennis received his Ed.D from the University of Idaho in 2001. His wife teaches English, mythology and creative writing at LHS; his daughter, Dr. Loralee Ohrtman, teaches chemistry at Oklahoma State University; his second daughter, Heather Ohrtman-Rogers, teaches Spanish and Language at Jenifer Junior High and Spanish at Walla Walla Community College; and his son, Eric Ohrtman, is pastor at St. Paul Lutheran in Colville, WA. He also has four grandchildren.

“One of the greatest joys I have today is reminding myself that life in the Seaport Cities is good,” said Dennis. “The joy we have is giving the best to the future generations.

The Idaho Humanities Council honors two humanities teachers in the state for Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award each year. Teachers can be nominated by a student, parent, fellow teacher, school administrator or member of the general public. Recipients of the award are honored by the Council in a special awards ceremony and receive $1,000 in cash, which the teacher may use for any purpose. In addition, the winning teacher’s school receives $1,000 to purchase humanities curriculum materials.