Parents play a big role in the lives of their children. Not only do they raise them and do the things parents do, but they also influence their children’s lives and help guide them to the person they will become in the future. 

This is the case for Mark Dabelstein. He teaches Geometry and Math of Finance to high school students at Altus High School. He said his mother, along with his wife, is the reason for him deciding to be a teacher.

“When I graduated from college the first time, I was always working the next job, but never felt like I was finding my career,” he said. “My mom always said she thought I would make a good teacher and that I had a natural leadership quality. I moved to Altus and worked for a car dealership here. The owners sold the dealership in ‘09, and my wife nudged me to find what I was meant to do with my life. I signed up to be a substitute teacher, loved it, and got enrolled back into school for my master’s degree in education. It was the best decision I ever made and I can’t thank my wife enough for supporting us so I could make it happen.”

Dabelstein and his wife Natalie have been married for thirteen years. His step-son Noah Camp is 24 and the couple also has a dog, Brenda. Mark is in his third year of teaching at Altus. Before that, he also taught at Altus Intermediate School as well as Altus Junior High School.

While he enjoys math and helping young people understand it, he also enjoys the special moments in the classroom when things start to click.

“I most enjoy connecting with the kids and watching the ‘light bulb’ moments as they start to understand certain concepts,” he stated. I don’t have any kids of my own, but getting to be around my students and athletes keeps me young at heart.”

When he has free time, Dabelstein says he enjoys doing things with family and friends.

“In my limited free time, I enjoy watching Nebraska Cornhusker football, playing golf, and hanging out with my friends and family.”