Brunswick teacher earns state, national honors

BRUNSWICK — Ohio's top biology teacher is "doing what he loves and calling it work" at Brunswick High School, according to a nationwide panel of his peers. Brunswick High School's Andrew Zenczak was named Ohio's 2021 Outstanding Biology Teacher this week before colleagues and parents at the board of education's monthly business meeting. That honor comes in addition to being one of 79 annual Project Lead the Way Outstanding Teachers, which comes through distinguished work in STEM courses. Zenczak, 30, attended Brunswick City Schools for kindergarten through 12th grade before moving on to Heidelberg University. He's worked at Brunswick High School for seven of his eight years as a teacher. On Wednesday, he credited district teachers for childhood and adolescent inspiration that led him to a field he struggles to view as work. "This kind of validates what we do everyday and why we wake up in the morning," Zenczak said. "There's a country song called 'Buy Dirt' that says, 'Do what you love and call it work.' I thought that's a good life lesson. With everything the kids have had to go through with the pandemic, now more than ever we know about social and emotional health. The kids are eager to interact with teachers again and they want to learn. They've helped me so much." "It's a nice surprise to see (the awards) through all the doc edition, the Google Meets, the mask wearing, the social distancing," he added. "To go through all that and still get great results and know that my kids did well too through our (End of Course) results, it just means so much. I've gotten a lot of love with it. All the love and effort I've gave through the years has been reciprocated back." Brunswick Middle School teacher Jeff Grove, who still teaches in the building, was specifically mentioned by Zencak as a primary motivator in him becoming a teacher. Zenczak also now works as Brunswick High School's junior varsity baseball head coach and girls varsity basketball assistant coach. The 2021 Outstanding Biology Teacher for Ohio Award was given to Zenczak personally by Chris Monsour, president-elect of the National Association of Biology Teachers. Since 1962, the organization has recognized educators every year in all 50 states. While earning his degree, Zenczak helped Monsour toward becoming a biological, environmental and marine sciences teacher at Tiffin Columbian High School. "Since COVID, we've usually been mailing (the awards)," Monsour said. "But this year it was special because (Zenczak) was my student teacher when I was in school. For as much grief and a hard time I gave him I figured it'd be a good thing to do this in person. I can say with confidence that Andrew is one of the best biology teachers in the country." Zenczak humbly said that keeping students engaged is half the battle in becoming a successful educator. "I try to teach with inquiry and encouraging the kids to solve problems through lab-based practices," he said. "I try to make it not just about notes and slide shows. It's sort of putting on a show every day. That means getting all kids involved, making sure I'm not just talking at them in a monotone voice, and making class a place they want to be and thrive in." Contact reporter Jonathan Delozier at (330) 721-4050 or jdelozier@medina-gazette.com.