Martin Vickers, a graduate of Crestview High School in Okaloosa County, Florida, has returned to his alma mater as a teacher after more than 20 years. His path back to the classroom was not direct. Although he had aspired to teach since high school, Vickers initially struggled to find a teaching position due to limited opportunities for new graduates in Florida at the time. Instead, he worked as an editor.
Vickers described his motivation for becoming a teacher: “I never was fully satisfied sitting behind a desk all day…I really wanted to work with young people. I’d been influenced by so many wonderful teachers, and I wanted to have the same influence.”
In 2009, Vickers began his teaching career in Walton County despite facing a pay cut and a lengthy commute. During his eight years teaching middle school there, he made efforts to connect with all students, including learning basic American Sign Language to communicate with a deaf student outside interpreter hours. He said, “We had an interpreter, but there were times—maybe before or after school—the interpreter was not there, and I wanted to communicate with the student. So, I started going home at night and studying American Sign Language. I never got great, but I got to where I could hold a basic conversation…there has always been a desire to find ways outside of my norm to help people.”
After several years in Walton County and later at Davidson Middle School in Okaloosa County, Vickers returned to Crestview High School as an English teacher. Observing an increase in English language learners at Crestview High School, he began studying Spanish again using language apps and other resources so he could better communicate with students without relying on translation tools.
When two of the school’s three Spanish teachers retired simultaneously, Vickers offered to transition from English instruction to teaching Spanish. He found support from administrators and pursued further studies at Northwest Florida State College while reading novels in Spanish. This effort enabled him to pass the subject area exam required for certification.
Now in his third year teaching Spanish at Crestview High School, Vickers works alongside Leah Merritt—his former Spanish teacher. Of this experience he said: “Ms. Merritt was an amazing teacher then. She is an amazing person now. I am so thankful for the opportunity (to work alongside her).”
Reflecting on his sixteen-year career across different counties and subjects, Vickers emphasized continuous learning and adapting new skills as key constants in his approach.
He encourages colleagues statewide: “if there has even been an interest (in studying another language), the students who speak another language are super encouraged by anything you can pick up.”
The Florida Education Association is inviting nominations for its member spotlights that highlight educators making significant contributions within their communities.
