fbpx

Larry Martin, a fixture at Belinder Elementary for nearly 3 decades, passes away

Share this story:

Belinder Elementary students and teachers cheered last May after Larry Martin won the Jeopardy Teachers Tournament.

Larry Martin, a fixture at Belinder Elementary for nearly 30 years who inspired thousands of 2nd graders, died this morning, the school’s administration informed parents and teachers this afternoon.

Martin, who called his students “Martin’s Marvels” and was well known throughout the community for his classes’ production of the “Marvel News” newspaper, stepped back from teaching after the start of this school year to focus on his health.

In a message sent to Belinder parents in mid-November, he said that “what began a short time ago as a mere health inconvenience hasn’t gone at all the way I or doctors expected it to. Tests this week make it clear that the outlook is very serious. I don’t have all of my plans worked out, but right now I’m forced to step back from the classroom and begin aggressive treatments.”

Belinder Principal Steve Yeoman informed the school community Friday afternoon that Martin had died.

“This is devastating news for all of us, as he has been a teacher here for many years, and was at the heart of the Belinder community,” Yeoman wrote. “As you can imagine, it will be an extremely difficult time for his family, as they process their grief.”

The district will be making staff available to talk with “anyone who is struggling to handle their emotions around this difficult issue. If your child would like to talk with someone, please encourage them to let an adult know, and we will help them.”

Martin’s popularity spread beyond the Shawnee Mission area last spring when he was a contestant on the Jeopardy Teachers Tournament. A nearly flawless debut earned him a place in the tournament semi-finals, which he also won to earn a spot in the two-day finals. He bested the other two teacher competitors, winning a cash prize.

Known for his approachable demeanor and encouraging attitude, Martin pushed his students to explore the world outside their classrooms. In 2015, with the help of a student’s family, he arranged to have President Barack Obama answer a question for publication in the Marvel News.

About the author

Jay Senter
Jay Senter

Jay Senter is the founder and publisher of the Johnson County Post.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in business at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where he worked as a reporter and editor at The Badger Herald.

He went on to receive a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas. While he was in graduate school, he also worked as a reporter for the Lawrence Journal-World.

His reporting has appeared in the Kansas City Star, The Pitch and The New York Times, among other publications.

Senter was the recipient of the Johnson County Community College Headliner Award in 2023.

LATEST HEADLINES