By Julia Hess '15
Richard Ognibene '85 comes from a family of teachers. He is the son of retired Siena professors Elaine Ognibene, Ph.D, from the English Department and Richard Ognibene, Sr, Ed.D, from the Education Department. Both began teaching at Siena during the 1972-73 school year and retired in 2008. His brother, Christopher Ognibene is currently a lecturer in Education at Siena.
"Richard has always attributed his desire to become a teacher to the passion for teaching he observed including conversations with a steady stream of Siena faculty who would vist our home. He was, in many ways, a member of the Siena community even before he enrolled here in 1981," his father said. "Richard was inspired to become a chemistry teacher by Professor Gene McDevitt, who helped him navigate the complexities of being a chemistry major pursuing the teacher education program."
This award was announced in a surprise ceremony hosted by Fairport High School, where Ognibene currently teaches science. Lindy Whetzel, the chair of the Board of Trustees for The National Teachers Hall of Fame made the announcement to a gymnasium full of students and staff.
The National Teachers Hall of Fame annually honors five teachers who have shown outstanding commitment and dedication to teaching. This induction will make Ognibene an ambassador, and he plans to utilize this responsibility to spread the good work of his fellow teachers.
"Great teaching is about love and I promise to use this honor to speak tirelessly about the love my brothers and sisters provide in classrooms across America."
Ognibene Sr. believes that his son's passion for education is a prime example of how the values taught at Siena can help make the world a better place.
"Richard is a firm believer in creating a classroom community based on love. Although he is renowned for his creative teaching methods, he also demonstrates what Franciscan values look like in everyday life," his father said.
