An art teacher from the Olentangy Local School District is a finalist for the 2018 Ohio Teacher of the Year award.
Jonathan Juravich is one of five finalists for the recognition, which will be announced in the fall. The Liberty Tree Elementary School teacher was selected as the 2018 Teacher of the Year for State Board of Education District 6, which represents Delaware and Knox counties and parts of Franklin County.
“He’s just a fantastic teacher and well deserving of that honor,” said Superintendent Mark Raiff at the Olentangy Board of Education’s meeting on Thursday.
Juravich has worked at Olentangy Local Schools since 2005 and has coached cross country and track at Hyatt Middle School for the school district. He also serves as an adjunct instructor at Otterbein University and collaborates with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
“It is often said that we choose to do things not because they are easy, but because they are hard. This statement best exemplifies the way I view Mr. Juravich. Rather than take the path of least resistance, he chooses, while sometimes difficult, to take the path that puts students first,” said Anthony Elkins, Olentangy Local Schools’ supervisor of elementary curriculum, in a statement.
Juravich was selected by a committee of educators, parents, and business leaders.
The other finalists for the 2018 Ohio Teacher of the Year award are Mark Suter of Elida High School in Allen County, Rachel Murdock of Stivers School for the Arts in Montgomery County, Patty Couts of Port Washington Elementary School in Tuscarawas County, and Dr. Matthew Luginbill of Cuyahoga Heights Elementary School in Cuyahoga County.
In other business during the board of education meeting on Thursday, the board approved a memorandum of understanding between the district and the Delaware-Morrow Mental Health & Recovery Services Board for on-site services. The school district is obligated to pay half the cost of the contract. The district’s share is $77,000.
Students expected to attend Berlin High School for the 2018-2019 school year will give input on the fourth high school’s mascot and colors at Olentangy High School on Saturday. Students will choose the top three colors and mascot options on Saturday. The final decision regarding the mascot and colors for Berlin High School will be announced during a board of education meeting on Thursday, Aug. 24.
More than 21,000 Olentangy students will return to class next week. School opens Wednesday, Aug. 16.
