At Crestview High School in Okaloosa County, Florida, Martin Vickers has returned to teach at his alma mater nearly two decades after graduating. Vickers, who always aspired to be a teacher, initially struggled to find a teaching job due to the lack of shortages in Florida’s schools at the time. After working as an editor for several years, he eventually began his teaching career in Walton County in 2009.
Vickers recalled his motivation for leaving editing: “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.”
During his eight years teaching middle school in Walton County, Vickers focused on supporting all students. He recounted learning American Sign Language on his own time to better communicate with a deaf student: “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.”
Eventually returning closer to home, Vickers taught at Davidson Middle School before rejoining Crestview High School as a teacher. As more English language learners enrolled at Crestview High School, Vickers decided to improve his Spanish skills so he could connect directly with students without relying solely on translation apps.
“I wanted to get to a point where I could talk with them so I wouldn’t have to constantly use a translation app…so I started picking Spanish back up with Duolingo and different things,” he said.
After two of three Spanish teachers retired from Crestview in one year, Vickers proposed switching from English instruction to Spanish. His administration supported him as he studied further at Northwest Florida State College and worked toward certification by reading novels in Spanish and passing the subject area exam.
Now teaching Spanish for three years, Vickers works alongside Leah Merritt—his former high school Spanish teacher—and expressed appreciation for their professional relationship: “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 sixteen years across different counties and subjects, Vickers continues seeking ways to connect with students through ongoing learning. He encourages other educators statewide who are interested in learning another language: “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 invites nominations for its member spotlight series that highlights stories of impactful educators across the state.
