Mark Weinert is named Norwell Community Schools’ Teacher of the Year
By HOLLY GASKILL
Raucous applause overtook Norwell High School’s auditorium Monday morning. As a surprise conclusion to the school’s preview of the upcoming musical, “Mean Girls,” the performers asked, “Did you know Mark Weinert needs to come to the stage right now?”
Perhaps confused but always a good sport, Weinert made his way to the stage, greeted by several familiar faces and a big bundle of balloons. In a special celebration for the whole student body, Weinert was named Norwell Community Schools’ 2023 Teacher of
the Year.
“First off, I never even thought I was the best teacher in my hallway, and probably the people in my hallway would agree with that,” Weinert quipped. “If I am honored and I do a good job, a lot of it’s because of you, meeting us all halfway. Also, the colleagues I work with, the strong administration we have, and all the Wells County parents who support us — from the bottom of my heart, I just wanted to say thank you to all of you. Thank you.”
For 37 years, Weinert has taught with a relentless passion for his students and chemistry at Norwell High School. He recognized the two don’t always easily coalesce, but as junior Colby Winkler described, it’s Weinert’s relationship with his students that sparks interest in science.
“Before Mr. Weinert, I didn’t like science — and now I’m thinking about majoring in something science-related,” Winkler said.
Through decades of teaching, Weinert has earned a reputation for his humorous integration of chemistry labs in the daily lessons. An annual tradition, Principal Kam Meyer noted, is Weinert’s “alternative pumpkin carving” lab, where the chemistry class explodes a pumpkin.
Weinert’s commitment to engaging, creative teaching was reiterated by administrators and students alike. For Weinert, it’s all part of his service to his students.
“I conveyed a level of learning to students by showing them that I care about them, treating them as human beings, and forming relationships with them, which is just central to what I do and what we all do,” Weinert said. “My motivation has always been the students.”
Over the years, Weinert has seen his former students become chemical engineers and doctors and even teach chemistry at a college level. Even so, one of the most meaningful teaching moments he recalls was when a student who was going through a difficult time pulled him aside in the hallway and said, “Thank you for seeing me.”
And, while his commitment has always been to students, his influence has undoubtedly spanned to his peers. When current Assistant Superintendent Anna Murphy began as a math teacher at the high school in 1993, Weinert was a comrade and encourager. “I wanted to be just like him,” she shared.
“He was just always so calm,” Murphy continued. “He never had to raise his voice in a classroom. And he was funny — that’s hard to do when you’re trying to wrangle 35-40 kids in a class. I remember thinking, ‘OK, he can do this, then I can do this.’”
Similarly, Meyer recalled a run-in he had with Weinert in the copier when Meyer was only a student teacher. Weinert took the moment to compliment and encourage Meyer, and as a 22-year-old, it meant the world.
“Not only did he show me that relationships are meaningful, but he went out of his way, as a veteran teacher — even at that time — to talk to a rookie student teacher and give him a compliment,” Meyer said.
Soon after graduating with his undergraduate degree, Weinert taught in Africa with the Peace Corps, then worked with the World Food Program for the United Nations in Benin. It was there that he met his wife, Salamatou, and the two moved to the area after Weinert began teaching at NHS.
The rest is history — or in Weinert’s case, chemistry. This academic year marks his 42nd year teaching, Weinert said.
Weinert continues to serve the district as a mentor to younger teachers, acts as the teacher sponsor for prom, and continually assists in coordinating student trips, including the recent trip to Japan.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this,” Weinert concluded. “It means more to me than you could ever imagine to be recognized by my peers, my administrators, and also my students.”
holly@news-banner.com
