High School English teacher and Olentangy Berlin girls basketball head coach
Brock Cunningham had always known he wanted to be a teacher. He loved learning, and he loved sharing his knowledge with others. When he attended The Ohio State University at Marion in the school year of 1997-1998, he knew he was on the right track.
Cunningham was an English major, and said he loved every minute of it. He took courses in literature, writing, and language, and was constantly challenged by his professors to think critically and creatively. Cunningham shared that he made many friends on campus and felt at home in the smaller, personable college experience that Ohio State Marion offered.
After his freshman year, Cunningham transferred to the Columbus campus to finish his degree. He continued to excel in his English courses and even took some education courses to prepare him for a career in teaching.
Upon graduation, Cunningham took a job teaching middle school English and coaching basketball. He loved his job and found that the psychology skills he learned in his courses were crucial in understanding and motivating his students and players. Cunningham shared that he knew that every individual was different and had their own unique motivations and learning styles, and he took the time to understand them and tailor his teaching and coaching to their needs.
Over the years, he moved up to high school and eventually became a CP English 11, AP seminar, and AP research teacher at Olentangy Berlin High School. He also became the head girls' basketball coach at the school. He continued to use his English degree and the skills he learned at Ohio State to help his students and players develop their writing, reading, speaking, and grammar skills, as well as their presentation and research skills.
Cunningham found that his communication skills, which he honed in his English courses, were essential in his daily job. He communicated with colleagues, administration, parents, journalists, and other coaches, as well as students, and he always tried to be clear and effective in his communication.
Looking back on his college experience, Cunningham felt that attending Ohio State Marion had prepared him well for his career. He had received a diverse education that helped him incorporate the skills learned through his coursework to be an educator, and he had made lifelong friends and connections on campus. He believed that Ohio State Marion was a wonderful place to have a smaller, personable college experience while still getting the academic rigor necessary to prepare for a profession when one earns their degree.
If he were discussing choosing the English major at Ohio State Marion with an incoming freshman, he would tell them that the degree program is diverse and helps prepare someone to incorporate the skills learned through the coursework into any field they choose to pursue. He would encourage them to take advantage of campus involvement and make connections with fellow students and professors, and he would remind them that the academic rigor at Ohio State Marion is crucial for success in any career.
Cunningham said he was proud to be an English major from Ohio State Marion and was grateful for the opportunities it provided him to pursue his passion for teaching and coaching.