Alumni Teacher Profile- Mr. Mike Doyle

By Nadia Dutton, Staff Writer

February 5, 2024

ROCKLAND - Mr. Doyle is one of the many alumni teachers at RHS, graduating in the class of 2004. 

Mr. Mike Doyle began teaching at Rockland High School in the spring of 2011, filling in for Mr. Ken Owen (a retired Physical Education Teacher and former Head Football Coach). 

Mr. Doyle attended Bridgewater State University receiving his undergraduate degree, then later attended Fitchburg State University where he received his master's degree. 

Mr. Doyle wanted to pursue a career in Physical Education because he enjoyed the games, sports, and fun interacting with his peers. He also liked being able to coach, Mr. Doyle is currently the head coach of the RHS Varsity Baseball team and former South Shore Vocational Technical Basketball coach. 

Mr. Doyle looks back on his times as a student at RHS, his fondest memories being in his senior Year. Mr. Doyle senior year he won a state championship in basketball and had a phenomenal baseball season. 

In addition to sports, Mr. Doyle also wrote for The Veritas during his senior year.

Mr. Doyle said, “Feels like a lot has changed, but not much has changed at all. Teachers still do a pretty good job connecting with the kids and athletes.”

Mr. Doyle tries to bring the lessons of forming connections with students to his career, from his former teachers at RHS. Some of those teachers are Ms. Kathy Paulding, assistant principal, and Mrs. Valerie Mulready, a math teacher.

Rockland High School celebrated the 20th anniversary of the 2004 State Championship Basketball Team on January 26 before the Boys Basketball game. Mr. Doyle enjoyed the whole season and especially winning the State Title, but his fondest memories are the bus rides, hanging out with his teammates, locker room antics, and making fun of his coach Mr. Fred Damon alongside his teammates. 

Mr. Damon described Mr. Doyle as an extremely tough, fierce, and excellent competitor. 

Mr. Damon praised Mr. Doyle’s performance in the State Championship game, saying, “He has the best two minutes in the state championship game ever, fact! He turned the whole game around.”

Mr. Damon commented, “I always knew he would be a coach, even way back then, he always had the traits for it.”

Damon exclaimed that the students and staff are lucky to have him at Rockland High. 

Mr. Doyle is married to another Rockland Alumni, Mychal-Lynn Doyle. However, they did not meet until Mr. Doyle was in college. Mr. Doyle was a delivery driver for Themis Pizza at the time, and his wife worked at Honey Dew. Mr. Doyle got his coffee and her number, which worked out well since they are now parents of four children and expecting a fifth this spring.

For most of Mr. Doyle's time working at Rockland High, he was in the gym alongside his mother-in-law, Mrs. Brenda Folsom, who is now retired. Doyle said, “Working with my mother-in-law wasn’t challenging like some people may have thought. Being a new teacher and having someone guide me through the first few years was extremely helpful.”

Mr. Doyle’s oldest is currently at Rogers Middle School, as he looks forward to his children attending Rockland High. 

Mr. Doyle said, “I hope there are teachers that are still passionate about teaching, and coaches still passionate about coaching.”