Teacher Spotlight: Shane Marsan

Have you met Mr. Shane Marsan yet? Shane has a master's degree from the University of Southern California and recently moved back to Las Vegas after living in Japan for eight years. Previously, Shane worked for an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program school as a second-grade teacher, as well as the school’s accreditation coordinator and an EARCOS teacher representative. This is Shane's first year teaching at Dawson, and you can learn more about him in this edition of #DawsonTeacherSpotlight!
How long have you been a teacher?
I’ve been teaching for eight years.

What’s your favorite thing about teaching at Dawson?
My favorite thing about teaching at Dawson is the feeling of constant improvement at all levels in the School. I always feel like I am learning how to be a more effective teacher from my colleagues and administrators, and that they are learning from me. There is such a great air of mutual respect and passion for education that permeates the whole school, I always feel excited to start each day.

What is your biggest goal for this school year?
My biggest goal is to provide excellent communication between me and the parents about their child throughout the year. I believe that teachers and parents have the same goal of creating a happy and healthy child and that open and honest communication is one of the most important ways to make that happen. 

Describe a time when you had to choose courage over comfort.
I spent the last nine years of my life in Japan and was very happy living there, however, I knew that I had more opportunities back in America. It was difficult to make the leap back to America and leave the life that I had built in Japan, but I knew that ultimately it was the right decision for my family. 

What is one thing about you that would surprise your students?
I think my students would be surprised how much I love video games and board games. While I don’t have much time for them now, whenever I have the chance I love to relax by playing video games with my brother, or board games with my friends!

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t working?
My favorite thing to do when I’m not working is to hang out with my daughter. She is two now, so we always go on adventures together in the park. I think that nothing can compare to the joy that I feel as a father and the happiness that I get when she smiles or laughs. 

What are you most proud of?
It has to be my daughter. Every day she is growing and becoming more and more her own independent person. The fact that I have something to do with her growth and development fills me with an immense sense of pride. I think that she is my greatest achievement in life.

You can hear more from Shane on Episode 12 of the Dawson Podcast!
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The Alexander Dawson School

The Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain, an independent school located on 33-acres in the community of Summerlin, is Nevada’s first Stanford University Challenge Success partner school for students in early childhood through grade eight. Utilizing the unique Challenge Success framework, Dawson uses research-based strategies and programs that emphasize student academics, wellbeing, and a healthy school-life balance to create more engaged, motivated, and resilient learners and leaders. At Dawson, students achieve their individual potential while savoring life and meeting the challenges of the world.