Martin Naffziger, M.Ed.

My Role

​I am one of the co-founders of SI Global Academy, and contribute to the vision of the school as the Executive Program Director. In this role, I collaborate with fellow founders, directors, teachers, and experiential staff in order to develop and implement learning and immersive experiences that build relationships, engage students in their passions, fuel curiosity and questions, and develop skills for success in our rapidly-developing world. 

​My Education

​I studied literature and creative writing as an undergrad at Wittenberg University in my home state of Ohio. Shortly after graduation, I earned a certification to teach English as a foreign language, knowing that it served as a ticket to travel to, and to live and immerse in nearly any nation I chose. After teaching around the world – which was without a doubt my most valuable educational experience – I continued my formal studies, earning a Master’s degree in Global Studies in Education with the University of Illinois by developing my thesis and capstone project of an interactive curriculum builder designed to guide teachers in weaving global perspective into the fabric of daily classroom practices with the aim of cultivating Global Citizens.  In order to continue to better serve my students, I then earned a graduate certificate in College Counseling with UCLA.

My Experience

​I was lucky enough to live and work in a small village in the Dominican Republic for a summer during high school, an experience that completely changed who I was as a person and how I chose to interact with our world. Shortly after college, I began teaching as a means of traveling to and living in diverse and amazing locations, each one shaping my educational philosophy.  I have taught beginning English to adults in Mexico, Science to three year-olds in South Korea, Adventure Guide English to rock-climbers in Ecuador, fourth graders in inner-city Cleveland, Archaeology and Culinary Arts to high schoolers in Costa Rica, and – in between – spent months exploring the diverse cultures of Thailand, Indonesia, Italy, Cambodia, Guatemala, and Nepal. These intensely varied and challenging educational and life experiences helped me to develop an understanding of and passion for the importance of individualized education, the power of multicultural experiences, and the necessity of igniting curiosity as a driver for student success.

My Personal Passions

​Clearly, travel has been and continues to be a hugely important part of my life. I love the heightening of senses – colors become sharper, sounds clearer, tastes more defined – when we step outside of our comfort zones into a new place and culture. I am also a culinary fanatic, and try to study cooking techniques in every country I visit, and also try to refine my international repertoire cooking at home nearly every night. I have a habit of trying to climb to the highest point of any place I visit (except Nepal!), love to mountain bike, explore any forest, read in a hammock, build furniture, tend to our small farm in Costa Rica, and spend time with my wife and our menagerie of animals.

​My Promise to You

​I am committed to changing the way education works. I have seen and experienced around the world what works and what doesn’t, and know that learning experiences that are truly transformative are possible when teachers and students work together to allow their natural curiosity to guide them, identify passions and goals, and build skills along the way of pursuing those passions. My promise is that I will work with SI Global Academy teachers, experiential mentors, advisors, administrative staff and – most importantly – students, in order to best create a learning environment that is smart, kind, a little bit weird, fun, engaging, and as life-changing as my learning experiences have been.

What Students Are Saying:
 
“You pushed me to succeed and I hope to carry on that academic success once I reach college. I wish you the best.”
 
“Thank you for providing me with tools with which I can succeed no matter where I am, for providing me with a well of worldly experience from which I can always draw, for making the words "friend" and "teacher" not mutually exclusive. Thank you.”

“I am truly grateful for the academic skills that I learned and the curiosity of mine which was utilized in and out of the classroom like never before. As time continues, I only appreciate these things more and more. From the bottom of my heart, I want to write to say thank you.”
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“I have some professors at college that could take a page or two from your book when it comes to teaching effectively and engaging students.”

What Parents Are Saying:

“This is the truth, but wanted to share this with you - Steven thinks YOU are the best teacher he's ever had!”

“Where do I even start? I can’t even begin to express how fortunate we feel about the excellent academic program you built and the love for learning you instilled in Luke.  It truly brings me such joy!”

“We are so grateful.  Without you, Will would not be excited about continuing his education, let alone embracing this path. He gives credit to you, you inspired him.  I know we are just one family whose lives you have changed; there are many others I am sure.  Thank you Martin, you truly are a miracle worker. 
 
“I wanted to thank you again for the incredible job you do!!  You made such a difference in my life.  You gave McKinley back his!!!”