For the 2012-13 school year, Martin Svoboda '74 has been awarded Rogers Educator of the Year for the high school level. Svoboda teaches mathematics in the Extended Day Program, an alternative school in Rogers, Arkansas. Svoboda is known for having both high expectations for the students he teaches who are often struggling learners but also creating a very welcoming and respectful classroom environment. He also works to individualize instruction and to make his lessons relate to real-world situations.
Svoboda realizes the need to teach students how to use mathematics in their everyday life. He started a Stock Market Game with his Extended Day students this year to help show this to his students. Svoboda said, "I try to teach the students the basics of budgeting, and the importance of saving. Then using material from Economics Arkansas I try to teach the value of investing in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds." Not only does Svoboda realize the importance of relating math to the student's life, but he recognizes the need to involve parents in their child's education. "Svoboda partners with the student's family and makes them a viable member of the team. It may seem obvious, but for many of our alternative education students, both the student and the family have given up on education. His efforts are very effective in changing the negative image the student and families hold for schools," the program's principal, Cindy Ford, said.
Svoboda graduated from West Point in 1974 and has continued his education in the past eight years by earning his master's degree in education leadership, and an additional 12 hours of graduate level mathematics courses. He has also mentored others seeking to become teachers through the non-traditional licensure process.