Get to Know Chuck Martin
Your 2022 MSTA President
With the conclusion of the 159th Assembly of Delegates on Friday November 19, Chuck Martin stepped into the role of MSTA President. Hailing from Bolivar, Missouri, his path to presidency was years in the making and has already impacted the organization in many ways.
How did you know you wanted to become a teacher?
I have really enjoyed helping people for as long as I can remember. The confirmation that I have chosen the right career path is the feeling I get when I’m teaching, and I see the joy and understanding on my students’ faces. I want to be a positive role model for my students.
How did you first get involved with MSTA?
I have been a member of MSTA since my days in college. I knew teaching was a great occupation, but I did not want to dive into it alone. I was aware of the representation of MSTA as a large organization and I wanted to be able to network. I do not think I fully understood the networking available until I became more involved in leadership. Bolivar has a great history of MSTA leadership at the regional and state levels. I first got my feet wet by serving as our local CTA president. Then, I served on a region audit committee and dove in head-first to serve as a region board member. I was encouraged by my peers to continue looking for leadership opportunities and decided to serve as the Southwest Region’s president. When that term ended, I was elected to the state board. I enjoyed the opportunity to represent my region so much that I decided to represent the state membership as a whole. I feel so blessed to serve in the role in which I am now serving.
What are a few of your main goals as president of MSTA?
I want to serve and encourage the members to be the best they can be. I desire to be a servant leader in all aspects of the position. I am looking forward to traveling around the state to see the amazing things our teachers are doing. I also plan to be a LOUD voice for our members. Further, I want to join with my fellow 45,000 members to empower our students to be successful.
What are some of the biggest challenges you think teachers are facing today?
Teachers are having more and more put onto their plates to juggle. Now, with the stressful times of overcoming the pandemic situation, we as teachers need to be able to lean on each other for strength and encouragement. Teachers are now trying to navigate the technology and curriculum while keeping up with varied student needs. Think about this for a second: many teachers have students in class (face-to-face) as well as students online due to pandemic restrictions. This is really the work of two teachers. I want to encourage all educators to do their best for their students but make sure teachers also take time for themselves. If teachers do not save time for themselves, they will not last in the world of education. There is so much happening today in our schools that has never before taken place. We are inventing new ways to educate our students and help them to be successful. In a culture that seems to focus on the negative around us, we need to choose to be positive. Our students need us to be positive. Moreover, as teachers, we must be positive about how we view and speak about our profession. We have the best career in the world - every other profession needs us to be successful. We must be strong advocates for education and work to recruit our students to be future teachers.
How do you balance your teaching life with your personal life?
I believe that teaching is a way of life, not simply a job I do when I am at school. I have always been very involved in the community in which I teach. Whether it is church activities, my children’s events, officiating youth sports, working side jobs, etc. - most of the time I blend my teaching life with my personal life. I enjoy seeing my students and their families around town as well. I try to take time to be with my family and enjoy some personal time but, realistically, at this stage in my career, I always end up discussing education issues everywhere I go. The way I separate those two areas is based on my focus away from school. I still want to be a great role model, but I do not focus on grading papers and planning lessons during my personal time. Though, I still have several days when I am at school late or come in early. A very important lesson to remember during this demanding time is to do your best at school for your students and colleagues but remember that the work is never ending and will always be there tomorrow. Set a scheduled time to leave school each day or else you will burn out and not be your best.
Tell us about your family?
My wife Jamie and I have been married for going on 26 years. She is a 1st-6th grade gifted education teacher in the Bolivar School District. We have four children. Clay is our oldest son, and he is in his first year of medical school at ARCOM in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Paige attends John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. She plays soccer and is majoring in elementary education and will finish her degree after student teaching this spring. Lathan will graduate from Bolivar High School this spring where he currently plays soccer and tennis. He also plans to attend John Brown University and play soccer. Seth is a sophomore at Bolivar High School – he and Lathan are both very active at school. Seth plays football, basketball and tennis. Lathan plays soccer and tennis. My wife and I really enjoy cheering on the Liberators.
What is something that your students or MSTA peers would be surprised to learn about you?
I love to shop and find a great deal. I am one of the most frugal people around.
Do you have any hobbies?
Keeping up with our childrens’ activities fills much of my time, which I thoroughly enjoy. I also enjoy outdoor activities like hunting and fishing and I love watching most sporting events.
What is something on your bucket list?
I am a Green Bay Packers fan and would love to attend a game at Lambeau field.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in becoming more involved with MSTA?
There are so many opportunities to serve the organization. Find an area to be passionate about and get plugged in. You can serve those in your local chapter to see where your talents are, then move on to other leadership roles. The region and state levels have great leaders in place to serve as mentors to help you get started.