Social studies teacher Peter O’Hara has lived the history he teaches first hand. He said the skills he has acquired in 23 years of service for the Army have substantially influenced his career in the classroom and as head freshman football coach.
O’Hara, a lieutenant colonel, fought in the first Persian Gulf War as an artillery man and part of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Part of his job description was training young soldiers.

“Training 18-, 19-year-olds for combat is a lot like teaching and coaching kids not much younger,” O’Hara said. “Knowing how to form a training objective has helped me learn how to create a learning objective.”

According to O’Hara, he had to move around often for the job; he lived in Europe for four years where he said he especially enjoyed the history and culture.

“I’ve lived in more countries than most people have visited states. The experiences I have had are remarkable,” O’Hara said.

He attended Ohio State University on a Reserve Officer’s Training Corp (ROTC) scholarship, majoring in education. O’Hara said he owed the army only four years of service.

“I liked it, and I was good at it. So I stayed,” O’Hara said. “Leadership skills, administrative skills, management skills were the things that I have carried with me to the classroom and (football) field.”

He said he thinks the skills carry over as a teacher and coach equally. O’Hara also said that while being a veteran is mostly relevant in his U.S. History classes, although it can also be beneficial in his International Relations and IB psychology classes.

“Overall the skills I learned have made me the teacher I am today, so (the skills) carry over in all aspects of my career,” he said.

O’Hara said students normally react very positively to him being a veteran and enjoy the stories and experiences he shares.

“I get a lot of respect, especially in this school. Students truly respect the service,” he said.

After O’Hara announced his retirement, he said he was offered a job as a civilian contractor for the Army.

“I would have made twice the money I make now, but when it comes down to it, this is what I love doing. Teaching and coaching were what I wanted my whole life,” he said.

O’Hara returned to the classroom while he was still technically on active duty in August of 2000.

“I just could not wait to get in the classroom and start applying everything I had learned to teaching,” he said.

O’Hara said having the opportunity to live in so many places he now teaches about makes the history come to life and hopes students will feel the same.

“When I teach about D-Day, I’ve been to the beaches at Normandy. I hope the stories I tell the kids make the history more interesting,” O’Hara said. “The places I’ve been, the things I’ve seen have made me a better teacher.”