Martin Oliver has been a teacher, coach, and athletic director in the Great Bridge area for 43 years, starting at Great Bridge High School and later transferring to Hickory High School. He credits his basketball coach Jimmy Calhoun, now a mentor, with helping him earn a scholarship to attend Elon University. Oliver believes that teachers and coaches play an equally important role in student development and guidance. Throughout his career, Oliver has emphasized the importance of education, teamwork, and using both wins and losses as learning experiences. After 43 years in education, Oliver still enjoys going to work each day and sharing life lessons with his students, just as his own mentors once did for him.