Spotlight: Marcus Ross (ID '24)

Idaho Milken Educator Marcus Ross (ID ‘24) is an eighth and ninth grade teacher and former student at Lakes Middle School in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Ross uses creativity and connection in the classroom,  from creating mystery games for teaching statistics to implementing a unique classroom management system for keeping his students engaged and motivated. Ross received a 2024-25 Idaho Milken Educator Award on November 20, 2024.

Milken Family Foundation: You’ve created a unique four-tier classroom management system now used schoolwide. What inspired this system, and how has it changed student engagement and classroom flow?

As a second-year teacher with my first year during COVID, I was looking for new, motivational and quick ways to get students to transition from task to task without wasting time. Our time together is short and only having my students for, at most, 60 minutes a day, I wanted to ensure every second was used wisely. That’s what led me to create a four-tier system to help with expectations of transitions and required tasks. For example, now my students understand that when my LED lights are orange, they are independent. They quietly use their own brains to identify their perspective of an in-depth question. My students understand that when the LED lights are blue, they are actively listening to whomever is the facilitator. This has drastically changed how my classroom runs as students move quickly from task to task, and saves me time from having to explain what my expectations are. It also gives students ownership of their mathematical ability. This is now a districtwide tier system so students across the district are aware of each tier and how the colors work. I think it helps clarify student expectations as they move through their lessons. 

MFF: Your statistics mystery game and personalized word problems show a creative approach to math instruction. How do you decide which real-life elements to incorporate to keep students engaged?

I am sure that every teacher loves the question of “when are we going to use this?” from their students. This is a question that students, including myself, used when I was going through school. It’s a very real question and a question that gets dismissed too often. When will you use these concepts and what jobs are they connected to? Are you interested in these standards and the procedures to solve these problems? I like teaching students about jobs connected to the lessons and how they are used. This sparks students’ interest in potential careers and ensures they understand that, yes, math is all around us. 

MFF: From writing farewell letters to former students for their high school graduation, to leading the Kind Club, your work as a teacher goes beyond academics. How do you hope to be remembered by students?

Life is extremely short. You never know what will happen even five minutes into the future. I try to model to my students that I am going to live each day with them. To be present with them. To take every opportunity to enjoy their presence because I have no idea what the future holds. I have one school year, one class period, one moment to build a foundation of trust, belief, care, understanding and motivation from my students. I hope my students remember me as someone who spent every second pushing them to be the best version of themselves. Every day when my students leave my room I say the same thing: “Remember to be kind.” And I mean it.

MFF: How did you end up in education?

From what I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be an educator. I adore learning and watching other people grow. Teaching something that isn’t always easy or can be challenging is the most rewarding thing to teach because you get the opportunity to build someone’s confidence and help them understand that IT IS POSSIBLE! Anything is possible. 

MFF: How did you feel at your Milken Educator Award notification? 

My first reaction was shocked and confused as there are SO many deserving educators in my school who deserve this award. So many mentors and friends who have helped me get to where I am today and they deserve just as much recognition as I have. I also thought about my students. I am not kidding when I say I thought about them. Yes, I can teach concepts and ensure that students are proficient, but they are the ones that do the work. They show up each day, regardless of how their personal lives are going, and put in the effort … or don’t. However they are feeling, they still show up and trust that I will always be there to pick them up and help them grow whenever they are ready. 

MFF: How do you define “success” for yourself and for your students?

My students know that we are constantly setting goals for ourselves,in and out of the classroom, to ensure that we are always pushing ourselves to grow and learn. Success falls at every aspect of our lives and I don’t believe that success ever ends. For some, success is finding the courage to get out of bed in the morning, for some it is making the varsity basketball team, for some it is receiving their dream job, and for some it is just stepping foot into the school building even though they are nervous, but they still did it. That, to me, is success. It happens all the time. Right now, in my life, success is the courage to finally get my own place. I know that might seem simple for some, but it’s my success. For my students, I am sure their success is feeling excited to graduate eighth  grade and head off to high school. I know they will have many success stories to tell and I can’t wait to hear and see them accomplish their dreams. 

MFF: Are you working on any interesting initiatives or new projects these days? Is there anything else you want to share about your school?

I am excited to plug in opportunities to be a math instructional coach next year for the 2025-26 school year. It will give me an opportunity to help other teachers grow in this amazing profession. Lakes is accomplishing amazing things right now. We just recently received a $25,000 EXCEL  grant to remodel our courtyard into an interactive outdoor classroom for all community members.