friday takeout

Marti Leiran

Maintenance | Calmar Campus

What is something that you have done that would surprise others who never knew?

I've have served the Frankville community for 27 years with the Frankville Fire Department, including many different officer positions. I have served 12 years on the Frankville Ambulance and am the current EMS captain. I have served as Cub master, Den leader and Popcorn Kernel of the Decorah Cub Scouts Pack 3067. My wife and I were foster parents for several years and adopted six children, current ages 20 to seven years old.

How does something you do, during your workday or in your free time impact the lives of our students?

When the students come to me and ask for help, assistance or advice on a number of things, I do my best to help them by connecting them to the right person or helping them out with their situation. Some students need help with their cars; with flat tires, dead batteries or being stuck in the snow. Some newly-enrolled students need directions finding their classrooms or offices. I do what I can to help all students feel safe and welcome on our campus.

What is the favorite part of your job or workday at the College?

The favorite part of my job is going to the Child Development Center to work and the kids giving me hugs. I feel like I'm a good role model when the children talk about “Marti in the tractor” or “Marti's pickup.” When they tell me their daddies and mommies are at work or class, I tell them how great that is, and that they will be back to pick them up. I enjoy being part of their daily adventures of “getting a new shirt or toy.”

What childhood experience most impacted your current set of values or your career path?

My family owned the A&W and later, the Family Table Restaurant, in Decorah for 18 years. While working in the restaurant, I learned to work with the public and listen to their concerns, ideas, criticisms and life's accomplishments. This taught me to be a good listener and problem solver. The restaurant patrons were like a second family to me. Those early experiences have shaped me in the ways I work with others, respect others’ beliefs and in being able to work with a wide variety of situations presented on a daily basis.

Wild Card Big Fish Feature Question: What was the scariest moment of your life?

While vacationing with my family at Wisconsin Dells, the water park capital of the world, I learned a valuable lesson about tube slides. In my younger, more fit days, they were fun. Now I am a tad bit older, slightly out of shape and the laws of physics work all too well. I tried to go down one of the open tube slides with my son, Colby, and found out I REALLY hate heights and walked back down the steps. Then I tried one that is enclosed, where I couldn’t see the way out, and discovered that I am also claustrophobic! When I went in the tube, I realized that I really filled the tube up and blocked a lot of water behind me. Once I had enough water built up, the sheer force of gravity sent me down an ever-increasing speed that I hadn’t expected. I thought that maybe using my elbows to slow me down would help, but that scratched me up. With all the water filling the tube behind me, I thought I was going to drown. Finally, I had a major splash down and wondered if there was enough room for me to stop! I finally surfaced at the bottom and into the pool, and the life guard was offering me a hand and slightly laughing. The things we do to have a good time on vacation.