Local biology teacher wins national award

On July 21, Tiffin Columbian AP Biology teacher Chris Monsour was awarded the Kim Foglia AP Biology Service Award by the National Association of Biology Teachers. The Kim Foglia award is named for an outstanding biology teacher known to share great ideas with her colleagues. According to the NABT website, the award is presented to an AP Biology teacher who "displays a willingness to share materials, serves as a mentor to both students and professional colleagues, creates an innovative and student-centered classroom environment, and exemplifies a personal philosophy that encourages professional growth as an AP Biology teacher and member of that community." The award includes a $1,000 honorarium, a plaque presented at the NABT conference and a one-year membership to the NABT. Monsour expressed that he is humbled to receive the award, and shares the impact Kim Foglia had on his career, "Fifteen years ago was my first year teaching AP Biology and I had no clue. I was given a book. I googled AP Biology resources and Kim Foglia's name popped up. I reached out to Kim for help and guidance and she was so gracious and helpful. She shared her materials and wisdom in how to teach AP Biology," he says on twitter in response to his award. He also credits his colleagues in AP Biology for sharing resources and materials, and his high school biology teacher, Mr. Craigo, for "making science fun."Monsour was also honored with the NABT Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for the state of Ohio in 2005.Originally from the Youngstown area, Monsour attended Heidelberg University to study environmental biology after graduating from Brookfield High School. The summer after receiving his degree, he began substitute teaching at Columbian High School. "I did not go to school to be a teacher, my goal was to be out in the field" he says. "But it happened that way."Monsour eventually went on to receive a full-time teaching position at Columbian. He also later received his Master's in education from Heidelberg University, and a Master's in Science from Montana State University. Despite not planning on becoming a teacher, Monsour emphasizes the passion he found for being in the classroom. "I really like being around the students, (they) have good energy, and I like being able to share all the information with them," he says. "I also really enjoy labs. I get to play everyday." Monsour is in his 21st year teaching at Columbian, 15 of which he has taught AP Biology. Throughout this time, he has also taught classes at Heidelberg University, Terra State Community College, The University of Findlay and online through VHS Learning.This summer, he has brought his instruction even further, teaching a course for Johns Hopkins University over pandemics and emerging viruses, as well as teaching grossology, a class designed for third graders to learn about the "gross" processes of the human body. Monsour's time at Columbian also extends outside of the classroom, through his involvement as a coach and advisor. He spent five years as a volunteer baseball coach and even advised the Tiffin Tornado Ski Club for eight years. He currently serves as the advisor for the Columbian chapters of The National Honor Society and BioClub. During the summer, when school is not in session, Monsour has enjoyed traveling the globe to volunteer, learn, and immerse himself in culture. In the past, he has traveled to South Africa to volunteer at an HIV/AIDS clinic and go on a safari, Australia to spend time with aboriginie groups and explore the barrier reef and the Hawaiian Islands to spend a month at sea performing a shark and lobster survey. "Whenever I travel, I always take three things. A pack of cigarettes, even though I don't smoke, a few $20 bills and a pack of gum," he says. "If a situation ever gets a little tense, anybody will take a piece of gum, everybody will take a cigarette or you can pay somebody off with 20 bucks. That's my travel advice." Monsour encourages his students to go out and experience the world outside of Tiffin. "I think the takeaway is that there's life beyond 224," he says. "Go out and experience things, and you can come back to Tiffin and make it a better place."