Barb Reichenbach, who has played a major role in teaching and advising Modern Languages students interested in future careers in education, retired in 2018.
“After teaching for 50 years, it will be quite an adjustment for me, but my husband, Jack, and I plan to continue traveling in our RV, camping in the high desert of Arizona, the Black Hills of South Dakota and the gulf shores of Mississippi,” she says. “I will really miss teaching but, even more, I will miss my dear colleagues in the Department of Modern Languages and my beloved students.”
She taught the methodology courses while at the same time exemplifying outstanding teaching in her own classes. With her guidance, students have participated in outside activities related to language learning.
Most notably, she has coordinated our Foreign Languages in Elementary Schools program, which offers Ohio University students the opportunity to share their passion for French and Spanish while gaining experience in the classroom.
Reichenbach first came to Ohio University in 1969, after earning an M.A. in Spanish and a B.S. in Education with a minor in French at Kent State University. When her position was terminated in 1975 due to financial constraints at OHIO, she taught French and Spanish full-time at Nelsonville High School while continuing to teach language at OHIO in the evening.
Upon her retirement from high school teaching, the Modern Languages Department was pleased to welcome her back to be in charge of its Foreign Language Education program. She was the expert on many aspects of preparing future teachers: mentoring students, explaining licensure, supervising student teachers, conducting countless workshops, and participating in language organizations at the state level.
Ohio University recognized her outstanding achievements with two special Recognition Awards in 2006 and 2012, and the Ohio Foreign Language Association recognized her with the Ed Allen Award For Outstanding College World Language Instructor in 2005.
Reichenbach’s experience, expertise, and enthusiasm have made a major contribution to the training of future language teachers. She will be greatly missed by colleagues and students alike.
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