Comments on: Proud to be… a Beltoid

By: Matt Slauson

Matt Slauson — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 01:34:27 +0000

JB was one of the most influential teachers I had at Oswego or any other school that I have taken classes. Apparently Mr. Ostwald is experiencing how JB can get on your nerves if you don’t listen for the bigger picture in his lecture or observe what is going on in and around his lab. My first experience in his class was similar to others. Sitting around a table in a dark room listening to a man with a slight southern accent, low voice and a wierd way of connecting thoughts, talk about design,people and the environment. When I finally said to myself, I’m tired of sitting around this table in the dark, I’m going to take a chance and design something so it can be critique’d. The world and the class changed for the better. He critiqued every aspect of the design and got the students involved as well. It was torn apart and built back up with his comments about the bad and the good of the design. It made me want to learn more and it gave me insight into a way of teaching that I had not experienced before. I use quite a few of his teaching techniques in my own classes.

I count JB as a valued teacher, mentor and friend. He will be difficult to replace when he does retire, which I hope is not for quite a while.

By: Pat Ostwald

Pat Ostwald — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:43:18 +0000

This man is crap he is a burnt out old man who has nothing to offer anymore. He would do the world and the College a favor if he would just retire already and stop scaring people away from our field. Back in the day he might have had a lot to offer but to this day hes burnt out and done. Do us all a favor JB RETIRE !!!!!

By: RjWassink

RjWassink — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:21:22 +0000

I’m glad you enjoyed this post. I often find myself thinking about those few teachers who made a huge difference in my life – and when I see kids walking down the hallways at school I wonder if I’m going to be that person to any of them.

Jeff, strangely enough I began my college career at Clarkson University as an engineering student… and a friend who I was helping mentioned that I was a good tutor. Somehow things clicked and I ended up in Oswego… and here I am today.

By: Jeff Kresge

Jeff Kresge — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:41:26 +0000

Ryan,

Great post. Like Jason, I was pondering my favorite “a-ha” prof moment and I had this vault to the front. I started as a pre-med major at LeMoyne College. I had a sociology prof call me into her office. As I walked in, she told me to sit down. She then asked why I was studying medicine because it was obvious to her that I wasn’t that interested in it. She then told me to get it over with and switch to education. I had never spoken to her one on one before and to this day I have no idea why or how this conversation came about. But, because of her influence, I switched majors, transferred schools, and increased my love of learning.

I need to find her and thank her!

By: Jason Schrage

Jason Schrage — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:43:50 +0000

Ryan,

Thanks for sharing this! Made me think of some of the influential teachers as a student in high school and college.

In high school I can remember my 10th grade global teacher and how hard I worked for him. He taught in unconventional ways and had a “nack” for inspiring us to go the extra mile!

At Oswego (class of 1998) I had a professor that taught an Environmental Science Course. Again this was a guy who made us dig deep and really think about the issues. Basically the students would research a topic and run each class in a discussion style format. If you were not prepared you would get a severe tongue lashing and be asked to leave. Like your professor this got had passion for what he taught – and I still think about the issues even today.

Thanks for writing this! Brought back some great memories for me!