Ennis math teacher sets a high standard

Elser explained that kids these days are very sharp, and usually able to quickly access and understand everything from math concepts to abstract thinking. I have six periods of math this year, Elser said, “And I have to think a level above the kids, which is sometimes mentally exhausting, because they set a high standard.” Elser said it is always rewarding when kids come back and say thank you for preparing them college in math and science. “That type of feed-back means a lot to a teacher,” he added.

Sitting in Elser’s quiet home in Jeffers as he reminisced about his teaching career provided some other insightful memories about a “life well lived.” “That’s me, when I was student teaching in 1973, in my Pink Panther suit at a pep rally,” he and his wife, Gail, pointed out with a laugh. I couldn’t even believe the stuff the crowd threw at me.” The couple next looked at their wedding picture from 33 years-ago, when they were both young teachers. Another picture showed Elser and EHS student Garl Germann when they attended the school’s first National Science Fair competition in Detroit in 2000.

Elser, who has been the sponsor of Ennis’ science fair for13 years will again take two students to the competition this year. Sophomores, Jade Northrop and Savannah Croy, will travel with Elser on May 13-May 18 to Albuquerque, N.M. to present their science fair project.

As rewarding as teaching has been, Elser is, however, looking forward to retiring and starting his new full-time job. He will be working for Frontier Rustic Designs in Norris, building sheds, gazebos, and wooden furniture.

An experienced carpenter, Elser also plans to work in his workshop, doing woodworking projects such as picture fi-ames and other creations.

The avid outdoors man, has other plans, too. Elser is very excited to go bow hunting, stay at hunting camps, and participate in all kinds of hunting. It’s obvious that one special way Elser will relax during his retirement will be with a bow or a rifle in his hand.

Throughout the years, Elser has been active as a board member upon his church board, a leader in the Royal Ranger program, and other numerous church functions. As a Royal Ranger leader, Elser helped two boys at the Assembly of God Church earn their Gold Metal award, which is the equivalent of the Boy Scouts’ Eagle Scout Award.

In other church service, Elser has recently began working with the Assembly of God’s men’s ministry to build houses in across America as missionary projects. Recently, he and two other church members went to Billings for three days to complete a home, which raised $100,000 profit towards a new house for a pastor in Guatemala who was living with his wife and six children in a home the size of a pick-up truck bed. Elser said he would like to continue to donate his time to these types of projects whenever he can, Mark and Gail Elser have two children who graduated from Ennis High School. Jeff and Julie Elser both live in Bozeman and are employed in technology and science professions. Recently, Jeff came home quite a few weekends to work with his Dad and other church members when the new sanctuary addition to the Ennis Assembly of God Church was being built.

He is now working upon his masters degree and is currently employed with Right Now Technologies. Julie is employed by the veterinary biological research lab Looking back one more time, Elser related that something about teaching had always appealed to him in life. And he had always “wanted to be in touch” with kids.

This is a goal that he has succeeded at, as he has touched students’ lives in mathematics and science at Ennis High School for 34 years. His dry sense of humor and attitude will be missed by all. But we celebrate with him and his family, again, “a career well done.” Retirement party There will be an open house retirement party for Marc Else at the Ennis Assembly of God Church on Thursday, May 24 form 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The pulbic is invited.