Mark Harsha, a teacher and coach, is striving to change the lives of the future generations. Harsha has to balance coaching, teaching and family. He is the epitome of hard work. With a lot of determination and compassion he wants to make a difference in the Portage community.
Harsha has been a Northwest Indiana resident his entire life. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Science Education from Saint Joseph College. He later continued to get his master’s degree in Geology Sciences from Mississippi State University.
“I really love Northwest Indiana because it has been my home for my whole life. There is always something to do and it is filled with a lot of diverse people,” Harsha said.
Harsha holds his family very close to him. He has one daughter named McKenzie (20) and one son named Maxwell (16). He also has one granddaughter named AnDreah (1).
“First and foremost I am a father and grandfather. [My kids and granddaughter] are more important than any job I will ever had. Before you can have success you have to have a good family,” Harsha stated.
Harsha has just reached his 21st year as an Earth and Space Science teacher at Portage High School. His passion from teaching comes from his sixth grade science teacher. Harsha spends countless hours preparing his lesson plan, grading and preparing labs. His hard work pays off when his students enjoy and understand Earth and Space Science.
Along with being an active teacher he is also a seasoned coach. Harsha has been coaching shot put and discus for a whopping 24 years. His passion for coaching can really be seen through all of his successful athletes. The two people that really got him interested in coaching were high school coaches, Coach Edmunds and Coach Bervin.
“My greatest achievement as a coach was the opportunity to coach two time national champion, state record holder, four time state champion, Tori Bliss. Also, coaching Jacob Engel to an All American Status,” Harsha said.
Not only is he involved with high school throws, but he also is the Vice President of the National Throws Coaches Association. Through the NTCA he has planned multiple throwing clinics including a clinic for coaches in November, a learn-by-doing clinic in the winter and a two day throwing camp for athletes during the summer. As of now he is planning for the coach’s clinic in November. Through these different events he has met many medal-awarded Olympians.
Throughout the country Harsha is a well-known coach. His success has reached all the way to the national-caliber. He not only coaches his athletes, but he also speaks at many clinics all over the country.
“My personal philosophy is to try your hardest and you will get the best result. You can’t expect to get something and not try your all. If you’re not trying 110 percent then you’re not trying hard enough. I use this philosophy in the classroom and at the throwing ring,” Harsha said.