Middle School Staff BIOs

My name is Michele Ogden and I teach Middle School Science.  I have been teaching at OSD for 14 years.  I attended The Ohio State University with an undergraduate degree in Speech and Hearing Science and a Master’s Degree in Deaf Education. Science is my passion and I love sharing that knowledge with my students. I always tell my students to be the best they can be and try their hardest. 

Hi, my name is Susan Bachtel, I am Middle School (grade 6-8) Reading and Math teacher. I have been teaching for 22 years. Iwent to Gallaudet University for  B. A. in Secondary Education inMathematics and Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon for  M.A. inDeaf Education.  I first joined OSD as a part time youth leader and often enjoyed sharing my experiences with the “curious”  students. I then decided to go to Gallaudet to become a math teacher to continue sharing my love for math and life experiences. I didn’t have any role models as a child as I was mainstreamed full time.  My motto to my students "Deaf people can do anything except hear by I. King Jordan"

Hi, I’m Megan Key. I’ve been at the Ohio School for the Deaf since August 2012. My husband I moved to Columbus to be closer to my family in Tennessee. During our search, I insisted that we only pursue towns/cities with a school for the Deaf—I’ve always lived near a school for the Deaf and living away from one just wouldn’t feel like home.  While at OSD, I have taught various classes- preschool through middle school. I currently teach middle school social studies. Prior to teaching at OSD, I taught for two years at the Missouri School for the Deaf in Stark School/the elementary department.

I went to Pellissippi State Technical Community College in Knoxville, Tennessee where I obtained an Associate’s degree in General Studies/American Sign Language. Then I transferred to MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois where I obtained my double major in Deaf Education and ASL Interpreting. I also worked with the Illinois School for the Deaf’s school to work program as a job coach during college. While working at OSD I have gone on to earn my M.Ed. in Bilingual Curriculum and Instruction (ASL/English) from the American College of Education.

I originally found myself in Deaf education by default- I was fluent in ASL (since the second grade where a mainstreamed Deaf student became my good friend), and found myself tutoring through the community college.  My caseload happened to be all Deaf students since I was able to communicate with them. I quickly realized that I truly enjoyed learning and teaching every day. My passion has always been in education- just ask my mother who pegged me as a teacher from the time I could talk. It is my goal to help students find their passions and love of learning which is why I so closely relate to this Anatole France quote: “The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards.” Seeing students make connections and mature academically, socially, and emotionally is what keeps me going. I love being a small part of the bigger picture in each student’s life, and learning from students every day. I’m happy to be a part of the OSD family and look forward to growth in many years to come.