Mr. Hoehn Named Master Teacher

After an extensive nationwide search, Paul Hoehn has been selected to fill the Leonard N. "Doc" Nelson Alumni Master Teaching Chair. Paul, who is beginning his 20th year teaching science at St. Mark’s, was appointed by Eugene McDermott Headmaster David W. Dini following the retirement of Jon Valasek, who held the position from 2003 - 2018.

 

“Paul Hoehn has made many important contributions to chemistry and to science in general at St. Mark’s,” said David Dini. “A deeply devoted teacher, Paul is a passionate student advocate and always there to support the boys and his colleagues. He is emblematic of the kind of teacher that makes St. Mark’s such a special place, and it’s great to see him step into the Leonard N. ‘Doc’ Nelson Master Teaching Chair.”

 

Paul Hoehn joined the science faculty at St. Mark's in 1999 after teaching in the Science Cluster of Skyline High School for 17 years. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and his master’s from the University of Texas at Dallas. Mr. Hoehn teaches Applied Chemistry, Middle School Earth and Space Science, and Astronomy & Geology. In addition to his teaching duties, Mr. Hoehn has worked with the Robotics Team and has sponsored several clubs in the Middle School. An avid musician, Paul regularly joins the St. Mark’s band, playing trombone at the All-School Christmas party, commencement, and pep rallies.

 

“Paul is a great colleague, mentor, and teacher.  He is equally comfortable running planetarium shows, engineering with microprocessors, performing chemistry demonstrations, and making his own fireworks,” said Fletcher Carron, Stephen M. Seay ’68 Science Department Chair. “Paul is forever learning new things and sharing his talents and knowledge with colleagues and students.”

 

With the Winn Science Center nearing completion, Paul is looking forward to making the most of the new facilities, with demonstrations that will bring chemistry the life for students. He is also excited to help present chemistry to the youngest Marksmen in the new Lower School science classroom.

 

“I am eager and excited to be moving into the new building,” Paul said. “It’s like being a kid going to a toy store. I’m also looking forward to helping our new science faculty get off to a great start at St. Mark’s.”

 

The Leonard N. “Doc” Nelson Alumni Master Teaching Chair was established by in 1985, thanks to the commitment and generosity of St. Mark’s alumni. It honors the memory of “Doc” Nelson, who served as Science Department Chair at St. Mark’s and its predecessor school, Texas Country Day, from 1933 to 1963. Paul Hoehn is the third holder of this position, following George Hague (1985 to 2002) and Jon Valasek (2003 to 2018).