Portage High School teacher and Portage native Cynthia Kovach brings a joyous passion to her craft and realizes her potential in shaping the future of her students.
Earning her bachelor’s degree at Indiana University and then attending Wesleyan University for another 15 graduate credits, Kovach has always worked diligently toward her goals. Previously working at Westville High School for 18 years teaching grades nine through 12, she transitioned her work to Portage High School where she currently teaches algebra II and geometry for upperclassmen. Kovach relishes the opportunity to entice students to love mathematics.
“The best aspect of teaching is that you get to touch the future generation in a meaningful way. You have the ability to help shape their way of thinking/problem solving that will last a lifetime and hopefully be passed on to their children. That is so powerful,” said Kovach. “I have the ability to influence teenagers to love math and to discover there is a whole future open to them to take concepts even farther. This generation will get to see changes in technology and jobs that aren't even imagined yet. It's so awesome to help shape them and build that creativity and knowledge to create the future successfully.”
Teaching math was not the career path for Kovach at first as she looked at becoming a lawyer, a veterinarian, due to her love for animals, or a teacher because of her devotion to helping people learn.
“My senior year of high school, I was part of cadet teaching and worked with learning-disabled students in grades one through five. My heart was so full working with those children that I just knew it was my calling in life,” said Kovach. “When I looked into college, I found that math teachers were going to be in demand by the time I graduated and would be a reliable field to go into. I always loved math and helped many classmates throughout the years. It just seemed to all click into place with becoming a math teacher. I just can't imagine teaching anything other than mathematics.”
Kovach grew up in the Portage community but had a brief stay in Jacksonville, Florida after graduating from college. Returning after a couple years, she has raised her son in the area as well.
“My parents still reside in the same house I grew up in here in Portage. When I left, it didn't take me long to miss home and return, though,” said Kovach. “Portage High School has always been my dream job, and I was so thrilled when I found out there was an opening. It's so amazing to work in Portage because every hallway holds wonderful memories of my youth. Now, I get to help shape those memories for the next generation.”
When Kovach isn’t teaching and grading math assignments, she enjoys spending time with family and binge watching her favorite shows with her husband.
“My favorite thing to do on vacation is to go on boats or catamarans to sightsee tropical paradise areas like Stingray City, and then snorkel to see the incredible life under the water," she said. "There is peace when you are underwater and everything else just fades away. You forget all the stress and just live in the now I also love to do things outside with my dogs. I used to have four pups that I would walk together which caused people to mistake me for a dog walking company. I guess that will be my retirement job if I ever stop teaching.”