University of Findlay’s College of Education to Host Ohio Teacher of the Year

The University of Findlay’s College of Education will host the Ohio Teacher of the Year for 2026, Christopher Monsour, on campus Monday, February 16 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Alumni Memorial Union North Multipurpose Room. This event is free and open to the public.

Event Background & Details

Each spring, the College of Education holds a professional development event. Over the past few years, this effort has included training for students on helping children with grief, a focus on the Science of Reading, trauma-informed care, and intervention techniques. Soon, hosting the Ohio Teacher of the Year can be added to the list. Monsour is set to present on his experience as well as advice for future educators during his visit to campus.

“Hosting professional development activities like this allow our preservice teachers to observe a successful teacher and hear how they engage students, assess their learning, and create an atmosphere where all students can thrive,” stated Julie McIntosh, Ed.D., dean of the College of Education.

Drawing on her experience at the state level, McIntosh said the opportunity to host Monsour aligns closely with current priorities in educator preparation.

“In the fall of 2025, I was elected to the State Board of Education Educator Standards Board, and they highly recommend utilizing the State Teacher of the Year to visit K-12 schools and educator preparation programs to promote the teaching profession and share successful classroom strategies,” noted McIntosh. “I reached out to Chris to organize this professional development for our students so that they hear from the best!”

About the Presenter: Christopher Monsour

Monsour has 26 years of teaching experience, allowing him the opportunity to teach a wide range of subjects before finding his true calling in advanced sciences. He is committed to creating a stimulating learning environment that promotes academic achievement and a lifelong passion for science.

Monsour currently teaches high school biology, environmental science, and anatomy & physiology at Tiffin Columbian High School.

Having pursued graduate work in biology, ecology, and inquiry, Monsour has earned two master’s degrees: a Master of Arts in Education from Heidelberg University and a Master of Science from Montana State University.

His teaching background also includes four years as a student study session consultant for AP Biology, ten summers of teaching at the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, where he served as both an instructor and the Academic Dean for Science and Math, and two summers teaching English as a Second Language at Tianjin Normal University in the People’s Republic of China.