by Irma Hamzagic; Web Editor

Nine countries and counting, headed towards a PhD, exercise guru, winter dance queen, and the coolest teacher on the block, all by the young age of 32. With a headstrong, hardworking attitude and a yearning to teach, Cheryl Ogolin, English teacher, entertains the idea of inspiration. Her energetic and upbeat personality makes education a delight. She is the epitome of cool and captivates listeners in a mere second with her happy-go-lucky character.
Ogolin welcomes students into her classroom with warmth and an easy going attitude. Within the first five minutes of our interview, she pulled up a picture on her computer showing us her mom’s, as she put it, 8-pack abs.
“I’m proud. Mom, how do you do that you have five kids?!” said Ogolin.
Fairly new to Mehlville, her previous role at Bayless High School contrasts with Mehlville only in size.
“I find that the kids are very similar, nice kids that are easy to get along with and teach,” said Ogolin.
Ogolin shared her college experiences at Webster and Saint Louis University (and is currently enrolled in SLU for her PhD) and why English is her chosen field.
“I love reading and writing and I had some fantastic English teachers in high school. Literature allows people to learn and have experiences that they’ve never had before outside of the books,” said Ogolin.
While she may do her teaching in the English halls’ of Mehlville, what many people do not know about Ogolin is her vast global history knowledge, all thanks to her travels. Italy, France, England, Ireland, Wales, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Costa Rica have all been explored by Ogolin and her travel groups.
“My love for travel began in 2007 when a friend of mine invited me to chaperone a trip she was leading to Italy. I never thought I would be able to afford travel until she turned me onto these educational travel companies,” said Ogolin.
Ogolin holds a rare appreciation for different cultures and riveting passion for gaining experience and knowledge outside of what is considered the normal comfort zone. Her down-to-earth attitude and zest for life make her the poster woman for what we all strive to become.
“I would literally go anywhere, except maybe the poles. I’d love to go to Japan because my brother lives there,” she added.
It could be her travels, it could be her teaching background, or it could be a natural born trait, but Ogolin provides a refreshing outlook on students.
“I’ve learned through my travels that students are more responsible and more interested in learning than some adults give them credit for. It’s a pleasure to travel with young people who wants to have experiences, but are willing to listen to the history of these famous landmarks. It’s rewarding to see them flourish in a different country and really come out of their shells,” said Ogolin.
Her experience in travel and her desire to learn and teach inspires readers. She shows us what being brave and adventurous is all about. Ogolin has been to a myriad of beautiful countries, on top of the Swiss Alps, and plans on traveling more, but her favorite has been Costa Rica.
“Costa Rica is full of hospitable people with down to earth ways of living. It is beauty I’ve never seen before, it’s magical,” said Ogolin.
From the tropical lands of Costa Rica all the way across the pond to the rainy and gloomy streets of England, Ogolin has seen it all. Her intellect and experiences shine through. Her passion for travel, her drive for learning, and her unique notice and understanding of students makes her one of the most inspiring teachers that walks Mehlville’s halls’.
Ogolin is taking a group of over 30 to Italy this spring break, plans on revisiting Costa Rica this summer, and will be making her first trip to Turkey in July.