When we first sat down with Mr. Mertz he seemed like a very happy person.  He loves to laugh and he’s really easy going.  Perhaps that’s what makes him such a unique teacher.  He has been teaching for 4 years now, and he loves the job and says that “it’s all good”.  He especially likes when he can help a student understand things they didn’t understand before.  But he does not like when he can’t help a student be successful.  It’s this caring and helpful nature that makes Mr. Mertz so special.  He’s not doing what he does for himself… it truly is for the students.

When Mr. Mertz was a kid he wanted to be a professional athlete.  Although he may not have achieved this dream, he has been able to keep a very athletic focus in his life.  His favorite sport is the triathlon.  And currently, he is getting ready to run a marathon in Kelowna.  On the weekends he likes to be with his family, which includes his wife, Jen, son, Ben (6), and daughter, Megan (3).  Mr. Mertz says his biggest accomplishment is raising his two awesome kids.  And if you ever get a chance to meet them, you’ll see just how awesome they are.  He likes to take his kids on adventures like rock climbing and hiking.  And if he ever won the lottery he said he would spend the money on an awesome family vacation to Disney Land.  Obviously, a family man down to the core.