ABYC Educator of the Year

Marine service technology educators are the absolute bomb. Whether an educator is teaching at a school or stepping into a corporate environment to work with a team, the folks who teach existing and future marine industry professionals are a special breed: quick on their feet, clever troubleshooters, intuitive educators and hardworking.

These educators must stay engaged with the industry, and they are required to pay attention to new technologies, updated standards and evolving methods. What worked 10 or even five years ago doesn’t necessarily apply to today’s boats. And with the marine industry’s continued need for qualified technicians, this work matters more than ever. These educators are helping prepare the next generation of professionals who will keep boats safe, reliable and ready for the water.

Since 2020, the American Boat & Yacht Council has opened nominations for an annual Educator of the Year to celebrate these tireless leaders in the schools and those associated with continuing-education programs. It is an honor to announce the Educator of the Year every January at an ABYC-hosted online Educator Forum where these same people meet to discuss their challenges and successes, and to support other educators who are interested in developing their own marine-related programs. 

This past January, we bestowed the Educator of the Year accolade on Matt Mardesich from Skagit Valley College in Anacortes, Wash. Nominated by a student, Mardesich embodies the spirit and fortitude necessary to prepare future graduates for a career in our industry. The fact that Skagit is a Marine Trades Accreditation Program school further exemplifies his and his colleagues’ professionalism and knowledge. 

Mardesich says most of his understanding comes from hands-on experience as a commercial fisherman in Alaska. He started working on boats at a young age and has been maintaining them for decades. Also a graduate of Skagit Valley College’s Marine Maintenance Technology and Diesel Technology programs, Mardesich returned to the industry for about five years before his former instructor, and now colleague, Mike Beemer encouraged him to become an instructor. Beemer saw Mardesich’s passion for the subject matter and a talent for connecting with students.

“Matt has an incredible ability to keep students engaged and promote their understanding of complex concepts,” Beemer says, adding that Mardesich’s industry experience clearly benefits the students. “Matt is a lifelong learner, allowing him to know current trends and technology in his field. He is naturally curious, and always creating new training tools and lessons for students.” 

Altynay Trofimchuk, the student who nominated Mardesich, wrote: “When I first came to class, I had very limited knowledge. Thanks to Matt’s guidance, I now feel confident working on diesel engines, drivetrains, and using power tools safely and effectively.”

Mardesich says working with students is the most rewarding part of the job. “They come from diverse backgrounds, represent a wide range of ages, and have different career goals,” he says. “That diversity creates a dynamic learning environment where students learn not only from instructors, but from each other, as well.”

Because the students enter the program with varying levels of experience, Mardesich focuses on building their skills from the ground up. The programs emphasize hands-on training, from basic tool use to advanced troubleshooting, along with professional skills such as customer communication and documentation. “We also connect students with industry employers through cooperative education opportunities, giving them valuable, real-world experience before they graduate,” he says.

“One of the most interesting aspects of the job is that the learning never stops,” he adds. “Marine technology is constantly evolving, so staying current is essential. Every year brings new tools, systems and challenges. Each group of students is different, as well, which keeps the work fresh and engaging. We’re continually refining and expanding our curriculum to keep pace with the industry.”

Beemer says Mardesich “is never stagnant, always adding and updating his content each year, and making sure all students are mastering the materials.”

Educators of the Year receive an engraved Weems & Plath desk clock, ABYC logo items and a tool kit courtesy of West Marine Pro. For more information about the award or about the Marine Trades Accreditation Program, visit teachboats.org.

Sarah Devlin is the former accreditation director at the American Boat & Yacht Council.

This story originally appeared in the June 2026 issue of Soundings Trade Only.