EDUCATIONAL POLICY AND LEADERSHIP ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Bryan S. Corcoran, Arts ’97
Milwaukee
Middle school can be a time most people would like to forget -- it’s generally recognized as a time of awkwardness, puberty and growth spurts -- but Bryan has dedicated himself to middle school students for more than 23 years as a sixth grade teacher in the Milwaukee Public Schools. He loves that every school year brings new students and new experiences, which motivates him to evolve and adapt his methods to create and sustain student success.
Bryan’s methods are working. He has been recognized twice as a Metropolitan Milwaukee Alliance of Black School Educators (MMABSE) Teacher of the Year. Marquette’s Jesuit mission motivates Bryan to continue to strive for excellence as an educator, as well as serving in leadership roles in his school and the district. He credits Marquette with instilling in him values that he now incorporates into his classroom. “I was surrounded by instructors and peers who were supportive all throughout my schooling, he says, “and in turn, I have tried to emulate that in my classroom.”
In addition to his dedication inside the classroom, Bryan has taken on a servant-leadership role to give back to the community as an assistant coach for a traveling baseball team, the Milwaukee Angels. By sharing his time and talent with this organization, Bryan has also been able to partner with organizations throughout the Milwaukee area, including Best Buddies, Salvation Army, Sojourner Truth House and Hunger Task Force.
Bryan credits Dr. Linda Allen and Dr. Donald Platz with supporting him and building his confidence as he began his teaching journey. As a young teacher, Bryan remembers struggling with teaching a group of 2-3 kids and doubting his career choice. Both Dr. Platz and Dr. Allen helped him see the big picture and taught him to learn from his failures -- methods Bryan now implements with his own students.
Fun fact:
What is one of your favorite Marquette memories?
“The Winter Flurry MU Late Nite talent show. I was the director of the show in 1995-96, and we made the transition from a talent show to a truly remarkable variety show with diverse acts,” Bryan says. “I remember putting in countless hours for months, and to have the show fill up the Weasler Auditorium was one of the most rewarding moments of my life. It was proof that hard work and commitment could truly pay off.”