The Voice – brought to you by The Page & Epistle

By Torben Heinbockel ’26

The Upper School’s new addition to the English Department is Mr. Marvin Aguilar, whose philosophy of teaching includes empowering students to be confident, creating environments where diverse ideas flourish, and showing students that literacy goes beyond words and paper. As part of our faculty spotlight series, Mr. Aguilar sat down with The Voice to discuss what inspires his approach to teaching and how he encourages students to develop into articulate and thoughtful communicators.

What drew you to St. Paul’s and to teaching English here?

“First, the academic skill-building and social-emotional development being fostered in the classroom, around campus, and in extracurriculars for young men. Additionally, the opportunity to inspire young men as 21st century scholars who take ownership in their learning as well as their character through a variety of perspectives in literature.”

Is there a book or author that’s influenced how you think about literature or teaching?

“I was introduced to Junot Díaz’s Drown in graduate school, and for the first time as a reader I saw some parts of myself as an American Latino boy coming of age in the United States. I met Díaz years ago when he was a visiting scholar at a previous school I taught.

Díaz’s raw language, complicated characters, and world-building resonated with many young men. The novel also showed students how to rethink what a novel could look like and sound like beyond what they have encountered in prior English classes.”

How do you help students see that writing and reading matter beyond school?

“We look at how messages are created across different media such as the internet and ads. Also, students practice their digital communication skills when emailing me about assignments and requests, which helps them with writing emails to other adults.

It’s also important to stress that literacy is not limited to reading and writing but also to oral tradition, social media, language, and the arts. Many of my activities and assessments incorporate different ways students can show their critical understanding about the material we study in class.”

Final reflection

Mr. Aguilar is bringing a contemporary and inclusive definition of literacy to St. Paul’s. His focus on identity, voice, and connection to relevant experiences empowers students to grow as critical thinkers and communicators. Ultimately, Mr. Aguilar demonstrates that English is more than just an academic subject; it provides students with tools for self-growth and development.

Interview conducted by The Voice student journalism team