Mark Marvin is from Monticello and commutes every day to his career as a Portage High School Economics Teacher and an Instructional Coach. He drives the extra miles simply because he loves what he does.
Instructional Coaches work with new teachers on new technology. With classrooms swapping chalkboards to tablets, educators need to understand test taking on computers as well as other technological advances.
“It’s trickier than what it sounds like. I help teachers with our new Internet-based learning system called “Schoology.” Students can access notes I take in class online. Test taking becomes easier because the computer grades it for me. All colleges and universities have learning-management systems, so it prepares them,” said Marvin. “Technology is always changing and I help teachers learn that. It’s not uncommon for me to sit in the classroom and give them tips on what they can do better. We throw a lot of work at our new teachers.”
Marvin says his students are what drive him. He says their accomplishments make his career incredibly rewarding.
“I really like to brag to my friends,” said Marvin. “I like telling them that I have a kid going to Notre Dame. Right now, I have a student who just got accepted to West Point, and I have had kids who became finalists for merit scholarships. It’s great to see them build those futures.”
Marvin finds that other teachers make him visualize a part of his career he never really thought of.
“You go into a teaching career wanting to help students, but as an Instructional Coach, you’re able to help other teachers and they are so appreciative of that. For me, teaching is not just kids, it’s the people,” said Marvin.
As an educator, Marvin learns from the kids. Every teacher adapts to new students each year, and he enjoys learning more about the kids in his classroom.
“I appreciate being around different people with different personalities and different backgrounds. Monticello is a lot different from here. Growing up in a small town didn’t expose me to that. I get diversity and different ideas from my students and that, to me, is the biggest thing I learn, as well as the biggest blessing,” explained Marvin.
Marvin faces challenges with every blessing. He wants the students he teaches to be the best they can be and to expand their education.
“Getting across to kids how important an education is, is the biggest challenge. I want to get kids passionate about what they like. I want to get kids exposed to needing more than graduating from high school. That’s tough. Not everybody emphasizes the importance of going to college. I want to get across to kids how challenging the world is out there, beyond high school,” said Marvin.
Portage provides Marvin with a diverse community. As a Monticello resident, he appreciates coming to a bigger and more populous environment.
“This is my 28th year teaching. I am very blessed to be a teacher and a coach in this community. I admire the resiliency here as ‘Portage Tough.’ There’s a saying here that calls this area ‘Portage Tough’ and I admire the resiliency of the community. It’s truly a second home for me,” said Marvin.