May 09, 2025 -- At Marion-Franklin High School, Susan Mazur, Intervention Specialist and English Department Chair, saw firsthand how students doubted their abilities and remained unsure of their strengths. Confidence was missing, and it showed in their work and their words. Mazur knew encouragement alone wouldn't be enough. She believed confidence had to be built through real experiences, steady support, and patience; one lesson, one breakthrough at a time.
"My relationships with my students are everything to me," Mazur said. "I focus on what they're good at and help them build their confidence. Our students have no confidence; they don't believe in themselves. My main job is to come in and help these kids love themselves and realize their potential."
Mazur has championed fresh ideas and practical approaches to education, combining academic rigor with personal connection for almost two decades. Her classroom reflects a belief that students achieve more when they feel seen, heard, and supported.
"[Mazur is an expert at] student efficacy, helping them to see that they can be," said Tanita Fleming, principal at the school. "[Mazur] always focuses on the positive and improves the climate of our building. [Mazur] is very solution-oriented if it's not working. She thinks of ways to do it differently or better."
There was a defining moment for Mazur. When a lesson hits a wall, not because of skill, but because of life experience, instead of moving on, Mazur saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between learning and real life.
"It turns out these students had never been to the zoo," Mazur said. "To write about it, they had to experience what it was like firsthand, see some of the positives of the zoo, and the negatives to formulate their opinions and write, and the results were tenfold better."
Believing in her students skills, she applied for a grant that would make an everlasting impact upon her students. The grant awarded the opportunity for the entire tenth grade to visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. That experience alone transformed the assignment. Once back in the classroom, students found new confidence in their writing.
“[Ms. Mazur] has helped me and been there for me," said Adaree Smith, a tenth grade student at Marion-Franklin. "She has made me want to be a better student for her and she can be a better teacher for me."
According to a 2021 study by the National Library of Medicine and Frontiers in Psychology, experiential learning improves student motivation, comprehension, and critical thinking. Researchers noted that "positive learning environments, especially those enriched with active, direct experiences, empower students to engage more deeply and retain knowledge longer."
"She is helping to positively impact our culture," Fleming said. "That aspect is a breath of fresh air as opposed to people saying what our students can't do. I'm very grateful to her for that."
Mazur embraces that "breath of fresh air" mindset daily. She’s cultivated a classroom that serves as a safe space for students to make mistakes, reflect, and improve their skills. She holds high expectations but pairs them with patience and understanding. That balance has earned her respect across students at the school.
"[Mazur] is always in a great spirit, always happy, always willing to go above and beyond for her students," said Careem Elkins, a junior at Marion-Franklin. "I have done so much better since I've had [Mazur] as one of my teachers than ever before. I'm an honor roll student every quarter now, because of her. She's like the mom of a school, honestly."
Mazur's work shows what happens when educators meet students where they are. By blending real-world lessons with a safe learning space, she helps students face challenges with skill and confidence. Her impact proves that students dream big and achieve more when they feel supported.
