Dr. Henry Oh, Associate Professor and Director of the Respiratory Therapy Program at San Juan College (SJC) in New Mexico, U.S.A., is the latest recipient of the Master Teacher of Honor Award from Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) International Honor Society in Education (founded 1911).
Since the award’s establishment in the fall of 2011, Kappa Delta Pi has named a very select few from around the world as Master Teachers of Honor. This award recognizes both recipients and their schools for the accomplishment. Dr. Oh joins a select group of remarkable educators who have been recognized with this honor.
Dr. Oh is the first Filipino to be recognized as KDP “Master Teacher of Honor.” He is the only third recipient in 2013 to receive this award in the entire U.S.A., and only the 8th awardee within a 3-year period since 2011. In 2007, he received the “National Teacher of the Year” honorable mention award from the Career Colleges Association (CCA) in the U.S.
Dr. Oh was the “1996 Outstanding Atenean Alumnus awardee.” In July 2008, he received the “Outstanding Atenean Overseas Award in Academics” during the 8th All Ateneo Alumni Convention held in Chicago, IL.
“Great teachers change lives by inspiring students to recognize their gifts and to learn how to use them to pursue a worthy dream. Dr. Henry Oh is one such teacher,” said Kappa Delta Pi International President Dr. Mary Clement.
Since Oh became director of the SJC respiratory therapy program in 2009, he has been highly involved in its development and accreditation process. As associate professor, he mentors and advises students throughout their undergraduate years and even beyond. Christy Ferrato, SJC Director of Advising and Counseling, stated, “Dr. Oh demonstrates an extraordinary level of personal commitment to his students, his colleagues and San Juan College.”
Oh was appointed by former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson in 2010 to the NM Respiratory Care Licensure Board where he currently serves as the chairman. He is also an executive board member of the National Lambda Beta Honor Society for Respiratory Care. Among his other professional appointments and board memberships, Oh is immediate past president of the American Medical Technologists (AMT) New Mexico State Society. He is a 3-time national winner as journal editor of El Tecnico- the official publication of the state society.
He earned a doctorate degree in Education with emphasis in Instructional Leadership in Health Sciences (summa cum laude). He is a registered respiratory therapist (RRT), a certified medical technologist (MT), and a chartered biologist (CBiol). He is an associate fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Project Management.
Scores from student evaluations at San Juan College make him one of the College’s highest rated professors ever. Former Maric College student Christopher Ryan Teague stated, “Henry accepted nothing but the best from his students. He made each student recognize their individual talents and structured his lessons accordingly.” His commitment extends to the community as well, in serving as a science fair judge and offering his talents playing piano at industry events.
To earn the Master Teacher of Honor designation, an educator must have more than 15 years of classroom teaching experience, submit evidence of professional development, leadership, community service, and exceptional contributions to the education profession, and demonstrate a commitment to integrity and high standards in the classroom. The award recognizes teachers of all levels, from early childhood instructors to university faculty.
