Lessons in Learning - Osterday
By Rachel Mergen
Originally, Garth Osterday, River Ridge High School science teacher of 34 years, didn’t expect to spend his adult years working in a school. His younger self believed he would find a successful career in the medical field, but his dream changed to fit his love of wanting to help youth meet their goals.
Osterday, a native to Stockton, Ill., attended four different colleges after high school. Initially, he attended Highland Community College in Freeport, Ill., where he received an associates degree. Following this achievement, he found himself at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill.
He didn’t discover his true passion for teaching until he decided to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While enrolled, he worked many part time jobs, including tutoring in chemistry.
This tutoring position led Osterday to the realization that a medical career wasn’t the best option for him. He stated, “[Teaching] struck me as something I would really like to do.” He also recognized that he wasn’t interested in spending six to eight more years in school to receive a medical degree.
Osterday’s college adviser at the University of Illinois was the one who influenced his decision to transfer one final time to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. There, he completed a Bachelor of Science in broad-field science/biology. Additionally, he gained secondary certifications in broad-field science, biology/life science, chemistry, physics, and Earth and space science.
He stated his reason for choosing a career in science was a “real interest in being curious.” He always wanted to know how things worked and was drawn to college science classes in particular.
Osterday’s road to the Bloomington School District, which eventually combined with West Grant School District to become River Ridge, was one of pure coincidence. While in Platteville’s placement office writing addresses to send his resume to an administrator received a call from the Bloomington School District. The district was searching for a high school science teacher. The staff member mentioned that Osterday, a science major, was in the office at that moment, and the school district offered him the opportunity of an interview. He ended up signing a contract for the position before even starting his required student teaching.
Currently, Osterday teaches five classes at River Ridge: freshmen integrated science, biology, anatomy and physiology, physics and advanced physical science.
“Teaching dynamics is a lot of fun,” he mentioned about his favorite lessons. “Seeing students put together concepts with application is neat.”
Osterday’s favorite class to teach each year is anatomy, because it focuses on structure functions. He believes this subject is one that is applicable to all students, no matter what career they plan to pursue.
“I get up in the morning and look forward to coming here,” he stated. The classroom is his most beloved part of being a teacher. He noted his enjoyment of interacting with the students and watching their expressions as they begin to understand new information.
Osterday said, “I’m blessed to have a lot of good memories.” He still often thinks about his first class and appreciates how he can still have connections to graduated students years later.
Over the years, Osterday has discovered it is important “to listen more as a teacher to students” and “to look at all students, no matter their abilities, as just as important as another [student].”
“Teachers have to want to see people succeed,” he said of the job. “People have to go into teaching because they want to help people.” He believes teachers shouldn’t teach with the idea of money or benefits in mind.
Additionally, Osterday works with the track and field team, forensics, class advisory, National Honor Society, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In the past, he also worked as a basketball and football coach. “[These organizations] are more than rewarding,” he added.
Osterday acknowledged the greatness he saw in both Bloomington and West Grant, along with River Ridge. Furthermore, he showed his appreciation to the community that has made him a part of their family.
He declared, “It is a privilege to get to know so many families.”
“I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing,” remarked Osterday. In the future, when he chooses to retire, he looks forward to watching his grandchildren grow up, spending more days on the water, and most importantly, enjoying more time with the love of his life, his wife Liz.
