Q&A WITH MEGAN MARCKS

New director of pupil services settles in at WBSD
By: 
Miriam Nelson
News Editor

Editor’s Note: The Enterprise and News recently chatted with Megan Marcks, the new director of pupil and special education services for the Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District.

Q: What is your work/education background?
 

A: I graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in special education and elementary education in 2014. I will graduate with my master’s degree from Viterbo University in educational leadership with my directors of pupil and special education services license in July of 2020.

Prior to coming to the Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District, I was a middle school special education teacher for the Waupaca School District.

Q: Where are you from?
 

A: I grew up in Land O’ Lakes, which is about 30 minutes north of Eagle River. Throughout my youth, I enjoyed participating in sports and took on many coaching opportunities once I began my career in education. My husband, Derek, and I purchased a house about 20 minutes east of Wittenberg in 2018 and have recently welcomed our daughter, Josie, into the world.

Q: What’s your basic philosophy regarding the education experience?
 

A: My experiences over the last several years have helped me develop a passion and personal commitment to three things: fostering a positive learning environment for students with various backgrounds and needs; maximizing individual student performance; and to combine my experience with my ability to be a compassionate and intelligent leader.

I believe it is vital to create a community of committed individuals to constantly improve the learning environments of our students.

Q: Is the student/teacher population one you’ve worked with in the past or is it bigger/smaller?
 

A: The student/teacher population in the Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District is smaller than what I have worked with in the past; my previous school district was about 2,200 students.

Q: What brought you to WBSD?
 

A: My husband has worked in the area for about six years. Prior to moving to the area, we had been actively searching for employment and housing within the WBSD, and when we saw a job posting, we jumped on the opportunity.

Q: Who or what was the inspiration for you becoming a part of the education system?
 

A: As a young student, I had many teachers that positively impacted my decision to be a part of the education system. As I began my journey through my bachelor’s program, I soon realized my passion and desire to further my education in the area of Educational Leadership.

Q: Your job title is director of pupil and special education services. Please explain what the position is about. How does it help the teacher/student population?
 

A: Within my role, I provide direction and oversight for the special education services/programming provided to students within the school district. As director, I also coordinate the hiring, management and training of all student services and special education department staff. This includes the support staff, as well as early childhood and 4K staff.

The director also oversees the special education budget, which includes the allocation of resources, overseeing funds, prioritizing items to purchase and budgeting for future expenses. Overseeing individualized education plan paperwork for each student identified with special education needs is another part of my duties. It is necessary to ensure that interventions and services are being delivered with fidelity with the students’ social, emotional and education needs at the forefront of our decisions.

Q: How are you and Dave Wall handling the transition of this position?
 

A: Dave Wall has graciously taken on the role of director of pupil and special education services since August of 2018. Dave is currently working part-time, approximately two days per week, and assisting with the WBSD through the end of June 2020 as director of pupil and special education services while mentoring me.