Teacher Appreciation Week: Mr. Ottmar

Aaron Ottmar has only been teaching at City High for one year, but he has already proven to be one of the best teachers at The School That Leads. During his first year, Mr. Ottmar has really connected with his students and created many memories. Whether it’s on trips to Saint Louis or just in the band room, everyone seems to have a funny story or memory about him.

“At Six Flags during the Saint Louis band trip, my group convinced Ottmar to ride a roller coaster with us,” Joseph Bennett ‘20 said. “He said he hadn’t been on a coaster in years and he was stressing out in line a lot! I sat next to him on the ride and it was so much fun to ride with him. Definitely made my whole trip.”

Mr. Ottmar also deserves to be recognized for his teaching because he doesn’t follow the traditional band director path. As a former percussionist, Ottmar chooses pieces that are fun to play for the percussionists.

“I choose music that showcases the percussion section,” Ottmar said. “I pick them to highlight all the cool textures and sounds that the section can contribute to the whole band.”

Mr. Ottmar also pays attention to the percussion section more than most band directors by replacing old, broken instruments with new ones.

“I like to set them up for success by giving them working instruments that they wouldn’t get to play otherwise,” Ottmar said.

Most of Mr. Ottmar’s students have a funny memory of him which is important for teachers to have with their students so the students can relate to the teacher more.

“On the All-State jazz trip to Des Moines, we ate at this all-you-can-eat spaghetti place and I ate a lot of food. On the way back to the hotel I started feeling sick and told Mr. Ottmar.” Drummer Peter Stoltz ‘20 said. “I walked with him for a little bit then I jumped to the nearest trashcan I saw and started to throw up in the trashcan and Mr. Ottmar and all my friends just ran away! But Mr. Ottmar came back and helped me to a bathroom that was nearby.”