When Kevan Ottochian was eight years old, he was diagnosed with a near-fatal case of Kawasaki disease, a syndrome that affects the heart and blood vessels. The experience was life-changing.
鈥淭hat shaped my outlook for the rest of my life,鈥� Kevan says. 鈥淓very day, live life to the fullest, and don鈥檛 take it for granted.鈥� This mantra has helped bring clarity to his plans for the future. 鈥淚 knew my life would be fulfilled by being a history teacher,鈥� he says. 鈥淣early a decade and a half later, I am still as passionate as ever, inspiring students.鈥�
Kevan鈥檚 interest in education was inspired by his parents鈥攁n elementary school teacher and an art teacher鈥攁nd his grandfather, who wished to become a teacher but whose career was redirected by military service and the demands of a family construction business.
Today, as a history teacher at Warwick Valley High School, one of Kevan鈥檚 favorite aspects of his job is the element of unpredictability, despite the detailed day-to-day lesson plans he prepares for his classes. He encourages students to share their opinions and insights and, in discussions about current events, he challenges them to think critically, something he learned at his alma mater.
鈥�91爆料鈥檚 motto鈥斺�榯o enlighten the mind through truth鈥欌�攈as driven how I teach,鈥� Kevan says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to be open and honest with students to build trust with them in order to achieve academic and non-academic objectives. STAC professors did that for me and I carry that legacy on.鈥�
As a student, Kevan joined the WTSK radio station, served on STAC鈥檚 student government, and took part in campus ministry. He also founded the bowling club, which is now a Division II sport at the college. He graduated magna cum laude and credits many professors for their positive influence on his education, including history and education professors Dr. Neerja Chaturvedi and Dr. Helene Robbins.
Kevan鈥檚 leadership and excellence as an educator earned him a spot in the STAC Alumni Hall of Fame, and an invitation to join the college鈥檚 Social Justice and Equity Forum. Currently, he sits on the School of Education Advisory Board, where he connects with other professionals and provides teacher candidates with field experience.
After graduating, Kevan began teaching and also earned a master鈥檚 in instructional technology at the New York Institute of Technology. He regularly participates in speaking engagements and workshops, including the New York State Council for Social Studies, where he serves as part of the communications committee. For the National Constitution Center鈥檚 Teacher Advisory Council, Kevan convenes with teachers across the nation to brainstorm new ways to enhance history education.
In the next five years, Kevan hopes to become a James Madison Fellow. The program, America鈥檚 most prestigious award in constitutional history for secondary teachers, provides support for graduate study on the Constitution and its relevance in the classroom. Two colleagues recently nominated him as a candidate for the award.
In his own community, Kevan is a board member of the Rumshock Veterans Foundation and a governing Elder for the First Presbyterian Church of Goshen. At home, he enjoys cooking and rooting for his favorite sports teams, the New York Giants, Rangers, and Yankees.