The Woodward Alumni Hall of Fame Association
Iris Szelagowski Inducted 2025 - Teacher
For 30 years, Iris Szelagowski was dedicated to creating meaningful learning experiences to motivate students’ interest in science and in the world of science education, her efforts put Woodward on the map. She graduated from the University of Toledo in 1967 and began her teaching career at DeVilbiss High School followed by a year at Rogers High School before arriving at Woodward in 1973.
She was a soft-spoken, dedicated, extraordinary educator who took research, reports, and critical thinking skills to a higher level. She entered her students in numerous local competitions, which led to many winners going on to national competitions in cities all over the country thus expanding their horizons. She had the students participate in the six week long Ottawa River Student Analysis Project each fall near the school. One year they won “Best Overall Presentation” for their findings at Lourdes College. During her tenure the Woodward Science department was awarded The Battelle Award for Professional Development from the Ohio Academy of Science, an award presented to the most outstanding science department in the state.
Iris herself received many honors for her teaching, including being named Northwest Ohio Outstanding Science Teacher twice. She also participated in many professional development activities, served on committees, and directed or assisted with many student-centered activities. She also taught at the University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, and Springfield High School before retiring. In her retirement, she enjoys numerous activities such as traveling, reading, playing the pipe organ, and spending time with her grandchildren. Iris married fellow Woodward science teacher Jerry Szelagowski in 1980. They have two children, Kristen (Rob) Frizzell and Jerry (Jamie) Szelagowski, Jr., nephew Brian Linker, and four grandchildren, Owen, Olivia, Riley, and Sawyer.
Important Events at WHS: Throughout my career at Woodward, I was dedicated to creating meaningful learning experiences in order to stimulate the students’ interest in science. Each year, we embarked on field trips to local, state, and national destinations, including museums in Detroit, Cleveland, Columbus, and Chicago. We competed yearly in local, state, and national science competitions including the National Junior Science Symposium held in locations such as The Research Triangle in North Carolina, Knoxville, San Diego, Washington, and Orlando. We participated in local environmental initiatives like the Ottawa River water quality testing and river clean-up projects.
These experiences not only enriched the academic lives of the students, but also developed their critical thinking skills and instilled a sense of curiosity. As adults, these are life skills they now utilize in their careers as well as in their everyday lives.
Everywhere I go in Toledo and surrounding areas, I encounter one of my 4000+ former students. I am very proud of all of these outstanding science students and their many accomplishments in the medical fields, engineering, teaching, law, the military, and other career fields. Two shining examples are Chris Junga, who hosted the Hall of Fame Celebration last year, and Demicha Sparks Rankin, who was inducted last year.
Staff who had a profound effect on me and teaching: Being part of the Woodward High School community for 30 years has been a privilege. The unwavering support and encouragement from colleagues, staff, and students have been instrumental to my success. Under the guidance of Assistant Principals Doris Hall and Marie Williamson, Principals Brian Reamsnyder and Robert Leonard, and Department Chair Dan Duvendack, I not only discovered a passion for teaching science but also developed a deep appreciation for the bright, inquisitive minds of Woodward students.
Two outstanding media specialists, Carolyn Yenrick and Emmie Jakes frequently opened the library to instruct and support my students in their research endeavors, helping them select their science projects for the year. Each spring, they hosted the WHS Science Fair where they welcomed students, TPS administrators, TPS Board Members, and other public guests to view the students' science research projects. These students earned numerous awards and accolades. Because of the students' successes at various science fairs and symposiums, The Ohio Academy of Science elected the WHS Science Department as the most outstanding department in the State of Ohio two different years
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Other examples: Each year, approximately 30 students and I would attend the Ohio Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. We were guests of the symposium for 2&1/2 days with such activities as ice skating and ice sweeping, in addition to viewing the best science projects in the state of Ohio.
Michelle Jacob and I served as class advisors for two years, collaborating with class officers to plan activities and fundraisers.
In 1980, Jerry Szelagowski and I became National Honor Society Advisors. At that time, I was known as Iris Coffman. After the induction ceremony, Jerry offered to drive us to our group celebration dinner, and soon after, we began dating. When we married in the spring, my Advanced Chemistry students proudly claimed they were the matchmakers. He was a science teacher at WHS from 1974 - 2001.
Favorite memory: One of my favorite memories is working with my Advanced Chemistry students each fall on the “Ottawa River Student Analysis Project” near our school. We were one of many schools assigned a section of the Ottawa River. For six weeks, we delved into environmental issues contributing to water pollution, hosted a guest speaker, and engaged in hands-on lab work where students learned 10 chemical tests. The analysis of these tests led to determining the water quality at our site. Several weeks later, we presented our results at an all-school symposium, initially held at Lourdes College and later at the Toledo Zoo. My students were awarded best overall presentation and poster display for three different years.
This project is my favorite because it addressed a real-life issue, explored environmental causes, and involved learning 10 chemical tests along with their associated math calculations. Students analyzed their results and proposed solutions. It was a team effort, focusing on our section of the Ottawa River, and ultimately studying the entire watershed to enhance its beauty and recreational value.
Children: Kristen Frizzell (Rob): Science teacher at Licking Heights High School, Pataskala, Ohio. Jerry Szelagowski, Jr. (Jamie): Anesthesiologist at the Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio, Lima (OIO). Nephew Brian Linker: Pharmaceutical Sales in Columbus. (He spent many summers with us after Jerry's sister passed away when he was 7 years old.) Grandchildren (4): Owen Frizzell: Junior at Heidelberg College, member of the Wrestling Team, starter this fall in the 184-weight division, Captain of the Berg Wrestling Team, National Scholar Athlete. He made Heidelberg history two years ago as the first freshman to become a National Wrestling Scholar Athlete. Majoring in Criminology/Psychology, he plans to get an MBA at Heidelberg after receiving his bachelor's degree. Olivia Frizzell: Senior at Pickerington North High School, artist, planning to attend Ohio University for their Game Design Program. Riley Szelagowski: Senior at Wapakoneta High School. Selected by Notre Dame University for their pre-college two-week South Africa Study Abroad Seminar this past summer. Currently undecided on a university, touring UofM, OSU, Miami of Ohio, and Kentucky University. Recently received Governor DeWine's Merit Scholarship (GMS). Plays varsity basketball and volleyball. Sawyer Szelagowski: 8th grader at Wapakoneta Middle School. Plays basketball, known for her excellent 3-point shooting, also plays volleyball and runs track.
Present Hobbies/ Fun Activities: We love traveling, especially to national parks across the United States. We have traveled extensively in the United States with our travel trailer and our dogs including several trips to the FL Keys. We also enjoy attending country music concerts, opera, and Broadway musicals. We frequently attend events for our grandchildren and are eagerly looking forward to the many celebrations for our two granddaughters who are graduating from high school this spring. I have a passion for reading, particularly mysteries. For exercise, I walk two miles several days a week and participate in Zumba classes at least twice a week.
I recently began playing the pipe organ again after a twenty-year hiatus. I was recently asked to be the guest organist for our church for a Sunday service. I also sing in the church choir and occasionally perform piano/organ duets with my friend, Lynda Lee, a retired teacher from Rossford Schools.
How I felt when you called: I did not anticipate how deeply emotional my selection for the Hall of Fame would make me feel. I am incredibly proud and honored to receive this recognition.
Nicknames: Mrs. S": In 1980, I married Jerry Szelagowski, a science teacher at WHS. He was already known as Mr. S., therefore I became Mrs. S.