A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Marty Briggs

A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Marty Briggs

This week's La Porte County Life in the Spotlight, Marty Briggs, was born and raised in La Porte County. It was here where his passion for teaching was inspired by various teachers he had throughout his time as a student. Briggs went on to Anderson University for Elementary Education and then onto Purdue University North Central where he earned his Master's Degree.

He began his career as teacher in La Porte County and has been an elementary teacher since. Last year, Briggs was recognized for his passion for the teaching craft by winning the Presidential Award for Teaching Math and Science.

“It was great to meet a lot of other teachers, and it was just an honor to represent some great teaching going on in the State of Indiana,” said Briggs. “It was great to be able to go to Washington DC. There were about 3 days of ceremonies. They had all kinds of workshops for us and we got to go to the White House too.”

Over the years, Briggs has celebrated many honors and privileges that he was able to share with his students. One of them being his time spent with students at the annual Camp Tecumseh overnight trip. Briggs has participated as a teacher chaperone at this event for the past 25 years.

“Some of my best memories are teaching there and interacting with the kids for about 48 hours. I get to see the kids outside of the classroom and help them see things in a different light as well. I get to do canoeing with them, obstacle courses challenges, and just being in a cabin with them.” Briggs continues, “You can make a big impact in their lives, and that's my biggest thrill of a teacher is to do that. And see that you do make a difference.”

A lot of these activities that students participate at the overnight camp are Briggs’ favorite hobbies as well. One of the many reasons he’s remained in La Porte County is because of all the outdoor activities the county can offer.

“I like to kayak down the Kankakee. I like the Dunes. I love to bike I just love the rural areas. There’s just so much good going on here, you know,” said Briggs. “I try to do a mini-marathon or two a year. I’ve been doing those for a while too, like the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon. I’m not the best, but it gives me personal goals and something to work for each year. I start my training in February or March. I’m really not the fastest either, but I love being out there in the outdoors giving it my all.”

Besides educating young minds, another driving force for Briggs’ teaching passion is passing on the craft to the next generation. Briggs prides himself to be one of the many inspirations that pushed students to become new teachers; just as Briggs’ teachers had done for him.

“Sometimes former students contact me. Sometimes they email me. Or even when I run into them at Walmart and they say something.” Briggs continued, “Some of them tell me they went into teaching themselves and they tell me I was one of their inspirations. And that's great, because a teacher inspired me to become a teacher as well. It's something that you just want to pass on and I know they’ll do the same.”