Students, alumni and parents speak in support of Huron orchestra teacher on leave
Eugene Bonderanko says he felt like he was losing himself during his senior year at Huron High School.
He had been rejected from several colleges he wanted to attend and was enduring personal problems. He said one person played an instrumental role in getting him back on his feet and started down a positive path — Huron orchestra teacher Chris Mark.
“He pretty much singlehandedly picked me up from that situation and basically got me back on my feet,” the current University of Michigan student said. “He told me, ‘You’ve gotta do something because doing anything else would be a waste.’”
Bonderanko was one of about 100 students, alumni and parents who gathered at the Ann Arbor Board of Education meeting Wednesday to show support for Mark, who is on leave from the school district pending an investigation into his conduct.
District spokeswoman Liz Margolis said Tuesday the district can't comment on the investigation due to its legal nature. Mark has been on leave since August.
Many of the current and former students who spoke told stories of how dedicated Mark is to orchestra and his pursuit of perfection. Every speaker told at least one story of how he or she had been inspired by Mark in some way.
Lauren Peng, the current president of the Huron Orchestra, said Mark helped her gain the confidence needed to speak in public. Before, she would freeze from fear in front of a group of just five people.
“He stood by me when I would address the orchestra, and I gained courage and the ability to make announcements in class and found my voice outside it,” she said. “He is our teacher, our friend, our hero.”
The crowd was packed in behind the podium for public commentary in the boardroom on the fourth floor of the Ann Arbor District Library, 343 S. Fifth Ave. Another 60 students stood in the hallway outside of the boardroom, unable to make their way inside.
Many of the students were skipping the beginning of a dress rehearsal for the orchestra’s concert on Thursday to be at the meeting.
Ju Win's son is in the orchestra program and said Mark’s class has been a can’t-miss since he began attending Huron in 2007.
“There are many days where he’ll say 'I’m sick, I don’t feel well,' … but he said 'I am going to orchestra class, he would never miss that class,'” she said.
Win grew emotional when speaking about what the show of support by current and former students meant to an educator. She said she teaches as well and hopes she could inspire students in the way Mark has.
“I could only dream that a small fraction of students would do the testimonial these students have done today,” she said through tears. “You can tell how hard it is to replace a leader and a friend like Mr. Mark.”
Many of the speakers talked of the opportunities to perform in the impressive locales the orchestra has played at in recent years, such as Austria, New York’s Carnegie Hall and Chicago. They called that part of Mark’s contribution to the program.
Nearly every student repeated Mark’s mantra that, “Orchestra is not a class, it’s a way of life” and said that attitude was an inspiration.
“He is more than our teacher, he is our friend — one that works non-stop to make us blossom and grow beautifully,” Peng said. “He is a source of joy and happiness, and we create that which we cannot alone and create what we cannot without him.”
Kyle Feldscher is the K-12 education reporter for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com.
Comments
Sam Smith
Sun, Dec 19, 2010 : 12:37 p.m.
Just because there is wide support for his students and their parents does not mean anything. Hitler had a wide support base too. I'm not saying Mr. Mark did anything like Hitler but please his students and their parents may be clueless about what happened. I have heard nasty accusations like "knight in shining armour" and "pied piper of Huron syndrome" to blaming the mother of the student in question, etc. Not helpful. Get all the facts. If Mr. Mark did something wrong he should face consequences just like we all must do if we do something wrong. If Mr. Mark did not do anything wrong he should continue to work as a teacher.
Bosco Boscowitz
Wed, Nov 24, 2010 : 8:11 p.m.
Based on the very wide and deep support for Mr. Mark, I suspect the following, based on my years watching bureaucracy in the auto industry: Mr. Mark is a high profile, dynamic, and very talented and dedicated professional. His success has undoubtedly rubbed some of his colleagues the wrong way, particularly the more mediocre among them. Then, as I saw at Ford, these small people work hard to find *something* improper to pin on this man. Instead of learning from his example, they snipe at him from the safe sidelines. Does the phrase "writing someone up" ring a bell? I smell small minds at work here, and I'll be interested if they will be outed in this whole mess. Unfortunately, they are often allowed to hide under the cloak of anonymous complaint and rumor. I've seen this pattern before, and I bet many of you have, too.
Barb
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 2:02 p.m.
"The article tells us nothing except that students had a positive experience with a teacher who has been suspended going on three months." Um, that was more information than I had before reading the article so I'd have to say if that's "irresponsible journalism," I'd like to see folks' (like the students who went to the board meeting) reaction if no one picked up the story. That would be irresponsible.
bigbluebus
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 9:26 p.m.
This is irresponsible journalism. Article never should have been written without something substantive to say about the nature of the suspension. The article tells us nothing except that students had a positive experience with a teacher who has been suspended going on three months. C'mon Kyle and AA.com, you can do much better than this.
Amy Lesemann
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 1:48 p.m.
@Kathleen - so you have absolutely no concern about a teacher who did something so serious that, despite the powerful education union in this state, despite his years of seniority, this man has been suspended? I have not heard any howls of outrage from the union, and there most definitely WOULD be if this was an outrageous accusation, and an outrageous miscarriage of justice. The fact that there has been such a breathtaking silence on their part, and a real attempt to keep the facts under wraps as much as possible, suggests that there is at least some legitimacy to the accusation. Note that I don't say that this means he is guilty - not at all. But as a parent, as a teacher, I would like a thorough investigation and I would like the man gone if he has committed a crime, no matter how talented he is. I agree, he's very talented. That does not give him a pass on anything immoral.
Amy Lesemann
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 1:45 p.m.
I was wondering if, or when, A2.com would see fit to cover a story that is convulsing the local high school. This IS news, whether folks want to hear it or not. As a veteran teacher, it is obvious to all who pay attention that whatever Mr. Mark is accused of doing, it is an extremely major offense, or the board would not have suspended this very talented and very popular teacher. I am not going to condemn him without hearing his side of things, but it is not good that he refuses to speak up for himself. The students only spread one side of the story - which I will not repeat here - and nothing of the side that condemns Mr. Mark's actions. If A2.com gave Mr. Mark a chance to explain the situation, and he declined, and the board would not elaborate, there are a number of such situations that unfortunately come to mind. It may be that he is innocent, that he is protecting someone - many things are possible. But as of right now, it is best that he is not teaching until his guilt or innocence is established.
Rhea Muff
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 1:03 p.m.
To echo a handful of these comments: This is an example of completely pointless journalism- if there had been an earlier article detailing (or even semi-detailing) the cause of suspension, it would provide this article with some context and thereby bolster it into a responsive opinion piece. As it is, readers are perplexed and left to fill in the various blanks. What is AnnArbor.com worth if it propagates gossip by forcing its readers to make gross inferences? This article is flawed in much the same way as was the BJ Wallingford coverage. Both pieces were incomplete and inflammatory. If the paper cannot provide the context required, the article shouldn't be written.
Amy Lesemann
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 1 p.m.
I was wondering if, or when, A2.com would see fit to cover a story that is convulsing the local high school. This IS news, whether folks want to hear it or not. As a veteran teacher, it is obvious to all who pay attention that whatever Mr. Mark is accused of doing, it is an extremely major offense, or the board would not have suspended this very talented and very popular teacher. I am not going to condemn him without hearing his side of things, but it is not good that he refuses to speak up for himself. The students only spread one side of the story - which I will not repeat here - and nothing of the side that condemns Mr. Mark's actions. If A2.com gave Mr. Mark a chance to explain the situation, and he declined, and the board would not elaborate, there are a number of such situations that unfortunately come to mind. It may be that he is innocent, that he is protecting someone - many things are possible. But as of right now, it is best that he is not teaching until his guilt or innocence is established.
Kathleen
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 7:27 a.m.
My daughter was in orchestra with Mr. Mark and he inspired and challenged her to be more assertive and confident. He is an excellent teacher and deserves to be reinstated. Ann Arbor would lose a gifted teacher who contributes not only to Huron's music program but to his student's lives. Let him go back to the classroom where he belongs! We can't afford to lose teachers who are as committed to education as he is. My daughter and I are eagerly awaiting the board's decision and hope it goes in Mr. Mark's favor.
Quietted
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 12:39 a.m.
Many rumors have spread about this teacher, none of which have been confirmed. I don't believe that Mr. Mark is a kind of person to be a subject to these rumors, and though running this article has brought some light to the issue, it has only created more frustration within the community. As a student who attended this event, I thank you for sharing once again the testimonials that touched my heart.
musicrat
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 10:30 p.m.
It'd be tough to say the students just randomly showed up to support their teacher... I myself would speculate that they know at least a basis of what is happening, but still decided to support him. Also, apparently he's been out since August... if the investigation has taken this long (yet has been serious enough to suspend him), there must be something doubtful or controversial about it. In which case, his behavior 99.9% of the time would be completely relevant. On a separate note, it is touching for me to see students come together, in their own time, for a teacher. I hope the truth (or something close to it) will be revealed soon, and that we won't be too quick to judge a situation that most of us don't have enough info to understand.
say it plain
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 7:06 p.m.
@barb, I think it might be reasonable to argue that "a popular teacher being suspended" might be news, but not if we can't know what was for, why people who support him don't feel it to be 'fair', etc. This is one of the most bizarre bits of 'reporting' I've seen here, and there is quite a selection to choose from;-)
lynel
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 5:12 p.m.
d_a2, "He works with children every day and I think parents have the right to know." Don't you think the students and parents DO know, but don't see it as a reason for suspension?
Barb
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 3:24 p.m.
I'm sorry but a popular teacher being suspended is newsworthy. Especially if a bunch of his students show up at school board meeting. Of course there will be speculation but that's hardly A2.com's fault.
Jorie O'Brien
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 3:15 p.m.
AnnArbor.Com, I really wish you hadn't run this story. There is absolutely nothing to report about, since facts and the investigation cannot be shared. In running this "article", you are only building up suspicion and hostility from people who can only speculate (and often speculate the worst). All that said, Mr. Mark was the best teacher I've ever had. I was in orchestra from 2002 through 2006, and those were the first four years that Mr. Mark instructed at Huron High School. Never have I had a teacher who challenged his or her students as much as Mr. Mark (and that includes college professors); he believes in his students, he treats them as individuals, and he inspires like no other instructor. I hope he is reinstated soon, to continue to inspire, challenge, and respect -- skills that many teachers seem to be lacking.
catcal
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 3:09 p.m.
I think this story should be taken down. No other stories have been published about this matter to date, and its presence now will likely cause unfair speculation. It is a personnel matter that is being handled by the school district Even though students went to show support at a public meeting, it seems unresponsible to report on something that could just cause gossip.
Kyle Feldscher
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 3:02 p.m.
@Ashley: District officials have said the investigation is nearing its end and a final decision is expected soon.
Ashley Weigel
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 2:59 p.m.
Why were the orchestra students there last night? Like what specifically about THIS meeting drew the students there?
d_a2
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 1:49 p.m.
@lynel i'm not supporting the story because i have some problems with it, but I think Mr. Mack being a teacher gives the public the right to know what kind of conduct he was suspended for that was inappropriate. He works with children every day and I think parents have the right to know.
say it plain
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 12:19 p.m.
This is a ridiculous and irresponsible bit of reporting, wow. *WHY* print the story about a show of support when the whole scene apparently is supposed to be a "can't comment" matter?! If the district won't comment, and the supporters can/won't comment, and the teacher in question can't comment, then of what public service is it to create hints and mysteries!? You can't pass this off as some sort of 'opinion' piece. This feels like observational reporting of a closed-door meeting ( I realize it was public, it just feels like a 'private interlude' within that, or at least one that wasn't meant perhaps for the public-at-large to learn of, just a sort of statement of support...jeez, it feels like it would be a violation of the communicative intent of the very supporters to tell us all about this, no?!) with no attempt at cluing the reader in. It seems like weird gossip. If it's too private or secret to let us know what's up, or if the parties involved *do not want to make the wider community learn what's up*, then of what value is it to the news-nets, but for click-venue, grrr....
Kaitlin
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 12:09 p.m.
As a former student of this teacher I am overwhelmed at the support that was shown for him last night. I was unable to attend but I was definitely there in spirit. Christopher Mark was the one teacher who has every treated me as though I was more then just a student. To him I was a human being. I know that I have become the person I am today because I had him as teacher when I was in high school. He has always been there for his students when they needed him, and I am proud to say that we are there for him when he needs us. I anxiously await the day when he is reinstated and is able to return to his rightful spot as the director of the Huron Orchestra Program!
lynel
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 12:03 p.m.
Gee, I wonder why he doesn't want to share his personal business with annabbor.com and its readers.
Barb
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 11:18 a.m.
Has an interview with the teacher been requested? That would be an interesting angle to pursue.
djm12652
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 10:59 a.m.
'teacher'...typo error corrected
d_a2
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 10:48 a.m.
i would really love to find out what kind of "conduct" he got suspended for.
djm12652
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 10:41 a.m.
Oh my...couple of things here...if you cannot learn or divulge the cause of his leave due to conduct, why even print this? You do not say if he's on paid or unpaid leave...it just seems like the Orchestra Booster Club wrote this. If this tacher's conduct is worthy of an investigation...why don't you guys do your own investigation?