(Le Mars) — At an assembly of the Le Mars Community Student Body held Thursday at the Le Mars Community Competition gymnasium, Denise Anthony, a member of the Le Mars Community Foundation Board, along with Carolyn Vance of the Le Mars Community School District Alumni Association announced this year’s “Teacher of the Year-Decades of Excellence Crystal Bell Award” recipient.
Doug Martin, was named as this year’s Le Mars Community School District’s “Teacher of the Year.” The student body gave Martin a standing ovation that lasted for a few minutes. Martin was pleasantly surprised by the announcement when he stood behind the podium to thank his fellow faculty, administration,
students and guests.
Among the special guests gathered to see the award presentation was Martin’s parents. Several students and faculty members, and administration officials extended their congratulations to Martin for his honor. During an interview with
KLEM radio, the science teacher mentioned that he considers himself as an average teacher, and mentioned he was speechless after receiving the recognition.
Martin, who has been teaching for more than 25 years, says his philosophy on education is to allow the student to make the discovery.
A few years ago, the Le Mars Community School District started a robotics club, which Martin assists with the supervision. He says the students have really taken a huge interest in participating with the school’s robotics.
Martin has suffered some health-related setbacks lately, first having a stroke, and then being diagnosed with cancer. Despite that, he enjoys teaching, and doesn’t let anything stand in his way from teaching Le Mars Community students.
Martin was nominated for this award by numerous past and present students, parents, administrators, and colleagues. The Decades of Excellence Crystal Bell award is co-sponsored by the LCSD Foundation and the LCS Alumni Association. The
award is presented annually to honor outstanding teachers who have dedicated their careers to the education of our children. The presentation of the Decades of Excellence – Crystal Bell Award will be made during the School Foundation
Banquet scheduled for April 25th.
