Teacher spotlight is a great way to recognize teachers on our campus who are focusing their tireless efforts and dedication to making our campus excellent! Through careful consideration, Mrs. Evenden and Coach Grant Martin were selected for this spotlight based on their involvement, expertise, and tenure. Both of these teachers have devoted countless years to the classroom, and Wylie is fortunate to have them.

Before teaching, Mrs. Evenden worked at the bank as a data processor. She received a business degree from McMurry University, and it wasn’t until later that she obtained her teaching certificate from Tarleton University. She began teaching in Anson, where she attended high school. After seven years in Anson, she spent a year at Monahans High School prior to her employment at Wylie in 2000. Here she teaches Algebra II and computer science and is the UIL Director.

“I think my favorite part about teaching is the kids,” Mrs. Evenden said. The kids are her main source of inspiration as a teacher, and she enjoys seeing them learn and grow. She also finds it memorable when the students “succeed at UIL in state and region.” Mrs. Evenden loved school as a child and is delighted she is able to spend her time in the classroom teaching her favorite subject, math. Mrs. Evenden is very dedicated, and she takes pride in the fact that she “has only called in sick twice in all of [her] years of teaching.”

When Mrs. Evenden is not teaching, she is traveling around the country on the back of her husband’s motorcycle. Last summer, the two traveled 5,864 miles to Massachusetts, and this year the two plan on going to Michigan.

Coach Martin is back at Wylie after a seven year absence. He previously taught at Wylie for nine years before teaching at Vernon High School and Burkburnett High School. He and his family ar

e very glad to be back in the Wylie community. “This place is special, and I think what drew us back here is the people in general,” Coach Martin said on behalf of his family.

Having a family full of educators, Coach Martin was exposed and influenced by this atmosphere early on. “It was a family deal,” he said. “I grew up in it and enjoyed it and wanted to be a part of it.”

As a student, he loved history and his history teachers greatly influenced him when he was younger. He wanted to provide encouragement and inspiration to students in the same way. As a result, he chose to teach history. Currently Coach Martin teaches World History and coaches football and baseball.

Coach Martin says that the most difficult aspect of teaching is “making sure you reach every student. As a teacher, you have to be able to change and adapt.” Mrs. Evenden agrees and stated that “trying to fit my teaching style to their learning style” is very important.

Both of these teachers play an active role in the atmosphere of excellence that surrounds Wylie High School. They greatly impact the success found in both academics and sports because they pour their time and efforts into the students. Wylie is very grateful to have Mrs. Evenden and Coach Martin, two incredible teachers.