When Mike Brennan graduated Marist in 1999 he did not see himself back at the school but when the opportunity arose a decade later, he wanted to. Brennan first saw working at Marist a way to get some experience to start his teaching then continue on to a public school. Luckily for Marist, Brennan decided that everything he wanted and needed was already at the school.
“Marist has been home for the past 18 years,” Brennan says.
What seemed just like a short term job turned into an opportunity to be able to fulfill what he believed to be his purpose.
Although Brennan struggled himself in school, that did not stop him from pursuing his passion for teaching and working with kids. He also did not lose sight of his original dream of coaching a high school team.
“School was never easy for me. I wanted to give students who were like me a person who could help them and understand them,” he says.
After teaching religion at Marist for almost a decade, Brennan had the feeling to start doing something new. An opportunity arose in youth ministry and Brennan knew this was what he had been looking for.
Students began seeing Brennan around the halls more as his jokes and advice started becoming a daily occurrence.
“Although he may seem tough, when you get to know who he truly is, you will be moved by his faith and hard work he puts into Marist everyday,” senior Lily YoCum says.
Whether he is giving grief about dress code or talking to students about how they are doing in school, his passion and care for the students of Marist are evident. His priorities are always made clear.
“Coach Brennan is the most generous person at Marist. He works extremely hard to give the students the best high school experience. Being the DJ at homecoming and prom, coaching football, running the Marist Youth Club, and so much more,” YoCum says.
Brennan leads Kairos, gives students the opportunity to travel to other Marist schools around the country, and teaches students how to be youth ministers during Marist’s all school mass.
“Mr. Brennan does a great job leading us and teaching us the ways of following Jesus. He is a consistent good teacher to look up to, get advice from and just talk to,” says student Maggie McDermott.
