A Conversation With...
Dr. Martin Ward

Q: Where did you grow up and how did you get here, (A&M-CC)?

A: I’m originally from Kansas and Nebraska. My father was a college professor at the University of Nebraska and my parents still live in Kansas. I began my career in education at a high school in central Kansas where I served as a teacher, coach and counselor over a seven-year period. Following Nickerson High School, I moved on to Bethel College, a small, private, church-affiliated, liberal arts college in Newton, Kansas. After 14 years at Bethel in many varied roles I decided to pursue a full-time teaching position. Texas A & M University-Corpus Chrisit was especially appealing because of its field-based teacher education program. I have been married to my wife Carol for 20 years. She teaches German at King high school. We have two sons; one that attends King and the other son is married and lives in Arkansas. This is my fifth year here at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi.

Q: What motivates you and has helped you become who you are today?

A: I’m strongly motivated by faith in God. Human growth and development are of great interest to me. I find meaning in service. I feel a responsibility to strive in some small way to help make the world a better place for people. Teaching and coaching were natural career choices.

Q: What makes you passionate about your field and teaching students?

A: I think educators play a most important role in our society. Whether one chooses to become an architect, accountant or attorney; the career choice really does not matter, teachers have tremendous power and influence in the lives of their students. That’s what keeps me passionate about teacher education.

Q: What course(s) are your favorite to teach?

A: I’ve taught numerous courses and actually have enjoyed them all. One of the courses at TAMUCC that I have taught for the past five years involves pre-service teachers at Miller High School on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I team teach with Dr. Tim Wells. The opportunity to have a class meet in the real-world of a public high school has been a great experience. I also enjoy teaching various graduate courses in our Masters and Certification program.

Q: What co-curricular activities are you involved in, and how can students become involved with you in those activities?

A: I’m involved with administration of a national youth sports program held on the TAMUCC campus for middle school girls. We involve many of our student-athletes in this program at various points during the year.

Q: Outside of TAMUCC, what extracurricular activities are you involved in; what do you do for fun?

A: I spend a lot of time coaching my son Ryan. He plays a national level tennis tournament schedule. Our family’s two Beagles (dogs) provide us with a lot of entertainment. Most of the things that I like are also things my wife enjoys such as tennis, reading, traveling and just being outside.

Q: Who inspired you the most or had the greatest impact during your collegiate experience which directed you to your field of study?

A: My parents are both educators. Dad taught at the college and university level for 40 years. They have inspired me as much as anyone to be the person I am today. Thinking back to my college days, I recognize that several of my professors had a significant impact on the direction my life has taken.

Q: What is your greatest achievement and whom do you attribute this to?

A: Being a husband and father are most important to me. Obviously, a great deal of gratitude goes to my parents. This past October I was inducted in Bethel College’s Athletic Hall of Fame, plus I was recognized by McPherson College with a Young Alumnus Award.

Q: What question does the study of Education attempt to answer?

A: The question(s) that Education attempts to answer is, what abilities will be needed by persons to enjoy happy and productive lives in our world today and tomorrow; as well as how will these abilities be acquired?

Q: Wouldn’t be caught dead wearing?

A: Suspenders!