Madison lost two men in recent weeks who, in each of their own ways, were nothing less than outstanding educators.
Marvin Meissen was one of the Madison School District’s innovators, an acclaimed champion of the teaching of science, one of those unsung heroes who do so much to inspire our young people, including members of his own family, on the importance of education.
Marvin developed the science program at La Follette High School when it opened in 1963, and his success there propelled him to the science coordinator post for all of Madison’s public schools. His work turned hundreds of Madison students on to successful careers in the sciences.
Later in his Madison schools’ career, Marvin served as assistant principal at West High and then principal at Velma Hamilton Middle School before his retirement in 1994.
He passed on his love for education to his five children, all of whom became teachers. Two of his sons, Phillip and Michael, earned their doctorates in education. Michael went on to become principal of La Follette High, where his father had pioneered the science curriculum. A granddaughter, Kristina Meissen, has also earned her doctorate, all from the UW-Madison.