Marquis Who's Who in America | Dan Marcus Master Te

MARQUIS WHO'S WHO IN AMERICA

Dan Marcus

Educator

Proximity Learning, Inc.

OFFICE ADDRESS

United States

dmarcus@proxlearn.com

GENDER

EDUCATION

MA in Elementary/Secondary Education and Teaching, University of Colorado Denver (1980); BA in Elementary Education and Teaching, Metropolitan State University of Denver (1977); AS in Mathematics and Computer Science, Stanford University (1974); AS in Mathematics and Computer Science, Colorado Mesa University (1973)

CERTIFICATION

Certified Teacher (Elementary Ed, Secondary Math Ed, STEM - Technology, Filmmaking, Broadcast Journalism), National Virtual Teacher Association (2022)

CAREER

Mathematics Teacher, Proximity Learning, Inc. (2018-Present); Mathematics Teacher, Cherry Creek School District (2020-2021); Mathematics and Filmmaking Teacher, Elizabeth High School (2014-2018); Mathematics and Filmmaking Teacher, Aspen Academy (2012-2014); Mathematics and Filmmaking Teacher, Lewis-Palmer Middle School (2005-2012); Teacher (4th - 12th grade), Douglas County Schools (1977-2005)

CAREER RELATED

Adjunct Professor Technology Distance Learning, Adams State College (Now Adams State University) (2003-2012)

CIVIC

Veterans History Project Teacher Liaison (2009-2018), Executive Board, Digital Media Educators Consortium of Colorado (DMECC) (2000-2005); Advisory Committee, Denver Academy Film Festival for Youth (DAFFY) (2001-2002); Founder, Sponsor, Technology Aide Program for Students (TAPS), Cresthill Middle School, Douglas County Schools (1995-2000); Member, Rocky Mountain Study Council for Technology in Schools (1987-1989); Pitcher, Denver Bears (1989-1992) Men's Senior Baseball League

PARENTS

Lee and Barbara Marcus

MARITAL STATUS

Married

SPOUSE’S NAME

Deb

CHILDREN’S NAMES

Daughter (Mindy)

CREATIVE WORKS

Featured, "High School Students in Small Colorado Town Shaping the Future of Journalism," Denver News Channel 7, ABC Affiliate (2018); Featured, "Making the Grade," Metropolitan State University of Denver (2017); Featured, "NBC Today Show," New York (12-17-2013)

ACHIEVEMENTS

Finalist, Wallace A. Bacon Lifetime Teaching Excellence Award, National Communication Association, Washington, DC (2017); Finalist, student-produced documentary film, “Cyberbullying,” Lewis-Palmer Middle School, National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY), Seattle, WA (2012); Winner, four games as pitcher of record, Denver Bears, Men's Senior Baseball League World Series (1989)

AVOCATIONS

Baseball (pitcher); Ragtime piano player

MEMBERSHIPS

National Virtual Teachers Association (NVTA), Colorado Association for Career & Technical Education (CACTE); International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE); National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY); National Communication Association (NCA)

AWARDS

Distinguished Alumni Award, Metropolitan State University of Denver (2021); Voted “Best of the Best” Teacher in Elbert County, Colorado, Community Media (2016-2018); Lifetime Teaching Excellence Award Finalist (2017), Author and Recipient, $10,000 Best Buy Community Grant for High School Audio Visual Communications, EZTV, Elizabeth High School (2016-2017); Featured with his students on the NBC Today Show (12-17-2013) for their winning Public Service Announcement, "You Are Beautiful," My Hero International Film Festival, University of Southern California (USC) Cinematic Arts Center, Los Angeles, CA; Named Colorado Big Brother of the Year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado (2010); Author and Recipient, $5,000 Best Buy Community Grant for Middle School Audio Visual Communications, LPTV, Lewis-Palmer Middle School (2008-2009); National Middle School Site Selection Recognition for Technology Aide Program for Students (TAPS) Program (1997-1998); Received 10-year Honorarium, Baseball Coaches Association Award (1997); Douglas County School Board of Education Honorary Recognition for Work with At-risk Students (1994-1995); Letter of Commendation, Congressman Ed Perlmutter, State of Colorado for his student-documented filmed recordings of the first-hand recollections of 128 veterans of the U.S. military branches of service, now archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress

COMPANY

Proximity Learning, Inc.

MARITAL STATUS

Married

SPOUSE’S NAME

Deb

CHILDREN’S NAMES

Daughter (Mindy)

ATTRIBUTES SUCCESS TO?

Mr. Marcus attributes his success to being a lifetime educator who is driven by passing on his passion for learning to his students

WHY DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN YOUR PROFESSION OR INDUSTRY?

When Mr. Marcus was in sixth grade, his little brother, who was in second grade, came home from school and was very distraught. He said it was his turn at show and tell, and he did not know what to share. Mr. Marcus had a little blackboard in his bedroom. He told his brother he wanted him to do something no second-grade child had done. He taught his brother to memorize and recite all the presidents of the United States using his blackboard. His brother stood in his classroom and recited all the presidents successfully. After the presentation, his brother’s second-grade teacher called Mr. Marcus to her classroom after school and said he was born to be a teacher because he taught his little brother to recite all the presidents, and she gave him her blessing.

THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF YOUR CAREER, WHAT WAS THE ONE HIGHLIGHT THAT STOOD OUT THE MOST?

Mr. Marcus’ most notable achievement was being the finalist for the Wallace A. Bacon Lifetime Teaching Excellence Award from the National Communication Association in Washington, DC, in 2017. Being nominated was a thrill to him. He was also featured on NBC's "Today Show” (12-17-2013) for his middle school students winning film "You Are Beautiful" at the My Hero International Film Festival at the University of Southern California (USC) Cinematic Arts Center, in Los Angeles, in 2013.

WHERE WILL YOU BE IN FIVE YEARS?

The fall of 2023 will be Mr. Marcus’ 47th year as an educator. He always thought reaching the half-century mark in teaching would be a milestone achievement. Mr. Marcus still sees himself as an active online educator in the next five years as well as celebrating his and his wife Deb's 50th wedding anniversary on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. His wife is a pastor and is in the counseling department at their church. She has written several books about her ministry.

EXTENDED BIO

Mr. Marcus says, "My teaching philosophy is to pass on my passion for learning to my students. Witnessing the "Aha!" moment when a previously befuddling concept comes to life in my class is what motivates and keeps me from retirement after nearly a half-century of teaching!” Mr. Marcus retired from public school teaching in Colorado in May 2018 after 41 years of teaching. He is credentialed in technology education, which includes audio, film, broadcasting and journalism. He is certified in various states. Working for Proximity Learning, Inc., he has to keep his teaching license active in different states, even if it is remote. From 2009 to 2017, he instructed and coordinated the submission of student-documented filmed recordings of the first-hand recollections of 128 veterans of the U.S. military branches of service, now archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, ensuring that the legacy of these veterans will never be forgotten. He received a letter of commendation from Colorado Congressman Ed Perlmutter. From 2003 to 2012, he wrote and taught over 40 graduate-level technology courses as an adjunct professor at Adams State College. The courses served as Colorado educators' primary source of professional technological advancement. From 2000 to 2005, he wrote, coordinated, and supervised a Douglas County School staff development K-12 technology course in instruction for K-12 educators. He pitched for the Denver Bears and won four games in the 1989 Men’s Senior Baseball League World Series. He worked through college playing ragtime piano every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday night. His daughter Mindy is active in the dance community in Colorado Springs.

TEACHING

WEBSITE