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Faculty Spotlight: Mr. Ehrbar
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March 10, 2022Holy Name history teacher, football coach, and legend Mr. Joe Ehrbar earned his bachelor’s in political science from Ohio Dominican University and his master’s in history from Cleveland State University.
He has spent his entire 45-year teaching career at HN, impacting generations of Namers throughout his tenure. Currently, he teaches CCP American History, CCP World Civilizations, CCP Holocaust, CCP Online Holocaust, and 20th Century American Movies and Music.
Tracing his passion for history to his father—a county prosecutor who loved history, Mr. Ehrbar also looks to the future by ensuring that his students are able to read and write while knowing “how and why.” He identifies these skills as key to his students’ success on the ACT, in college, and later in life. Mr. Ehrbar is also grateful for the opportunity his CCP students have to earn college credit right here on HN’s campus.
Mr. Ehrbar’s own favorite memory on HN’s campus was meeting his wife, Mrs. Joanie Ehrbar. He also fondly recalls their five children’s experiences at HN as well as the friendships he has made and the opportunity to participate in HN athletics.
His favorite lessons to teach explore the economic and cultural catastrophes that have occurred throughout American and world history. He explains, “Eugenics, market illusions, and bias deflect the truth and contribute to catastrophes such as the Holocaust, economic depressions, bias, and the loss of Christian humanism.” As a Christian educator, Mr. Ehrbar feels called to “‘fight the fight’ of these illusions.”
Throughout his decades-long teaching career, Mr. Ehrbar has adapted to and incorporated ever-changing technologies. For example, he utilizes the Moodle in his online CCP Holocaust course and Blackboard in the CCP courses he teaches through Cuyahoga Community College. These platforms allow students to access slides, short videos, and even Mr. Ehrbar’s lectures even when they are at home.
In his free time, Mr. Ehrbar loves spending time with his family and grandkids.
Consistent with the lessons he teaches in the classroom, Mr. Ehrbar encourages his children, his grandchildren, and his students to “find the truth and avoid illusions” in all aspects of their lives.
