Meet Ken Neuzil

Meet Ken Neuzil, a 19-year resident of North Olmsted. He and his wife Mary have been married for 17 years and between the two of them have five adult children and six grandchildren. Neuzil began teaching social studies in North Olmsted in 1966 and coaching cross country and track in 1989. In 2004, he retired with 38 years of teaching and 24 years of coaching. Currently, he teaches graduate-level classes for educators for Communicate Institute under the auspices of Walsh University.

Since retirement, Neuzil has given back to the community in other ways. Neuzil was president of Kiwanis and is currently secretary. Through Kiwanis, he has organized the annual North Olmsted Homecoming 5K since 2008, which will have awarded approximately $17,000 in scholarships by 2015. He is also the organizer of the annual “Kindergarten Kit” program to supply every North Olmsted Kindergarten student with a starter kit of supplies. An active Community Council member, he has served two years as director, and is currently vice president. You may also find him volunteering as a tutor at Tri-C, volunteering with NOHS SITES, serving as a member of the North Olmsted Scholarship Foundation, as well as various running activities.

Q&A with Ken

What would you tell a new resident about North Olmsted? How would you suggest they get involved in our community?

“North Olmsted is a wonderful melting pot of cultures and our schools reflect that diversity. Our schools, their staffs and faculties do a tremendous job working with today’s young people. As for getting involved in the community, there are many, many opportunities. Community Council is a conglomerate of more than 25 community groups including gardening, political, and civic-minded organizations. Every one of these groups would welcome new members.”

What do you think of the new school that will be built?

“I am truly excited about the project!” Ken began his teaching career at the middle school in 1966 “and it was old then!” He says the new facility will put North Olmsted on the map as a community people will want to move to.

Do you have favorite memory of teaching? Of coaching?

“Boy, that’s tough. For me, teaching was a daily pleasure. I couldn’t believe they actually paid me to enjoy anything this much! I enjoyed the interaction with the kids, the give and take of a classroom discussion, and the growth, both in factual knowledge and maturity I witnessed in my students. As for coaching, it would have to be having twelve Cross Country boys run in the State Meet over the years. All the credit goes to them, but I appreciated being there as witness.”