Getting to know Chris Ohana
Title: Associate professor, science education and elementary education
What do you love most about your department? “I love that everybody who teaches here have a passion for being the best teacher they can be everyday for every student. That is our goal and what I love the most is that everyone shares that goal. I also love the campus, it is beautiful.”
Years at Western: 14
Originally from: Born in Virginia. Went to high school and college in California.
Hobbies: “I love being outdoors. My biggest passion right now is outrigger canoeing. I also do stand-up paddle boarding, biking and playing the guitar.”
Quote you live by: “Luck favors the prepared.” -Louis Pasteur
Favorite restaurant: The Oyster Bar on Chuckanut Drive
Favorite Bellingham location: Outrigger canoeing on Bellingham Bay during the summer.
Most memorable vacation: Traveling for five weeks in New Zealand with a friend and floating down the underground rivers in New Zealand.
Favorite WWU memory: “Not one memory, but I love doing Discovery Days and talking to the parents of students who might be coming to Western. I also love the info fair at Red Square at the beginning of the school year; it's interesting to see different clubs on campus.”
Favorite movie: “Atonia’s Line”
Currently reading: “Gold,” by Chris Cleave
Projects currently working on: Working on a study on the impact of Western’s innovative elementary science teacher preparation program, funded by a $3-million grant awarded to Western by the National Science Foundation.
Awards and recognitions:
- Awarded several National Science Foundation grants
- Fellow of the National Institute for Science Education at University of Wisconsin
- Editor of Science and Children 2004-2009
- Appointed by the National Science Teacher Association to the national committee for science teacher preparation
