Paul Degenkolb

Mystic Valley

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Paul Degenkolb knows there’s a lot more to his job as a French teacher at Malden High School than just making lesson plans and grading homework. Degenkolb is constantly helping connect students with resources to enrich their learning and personal growth, an undertaking which is aided by his role as an advisory board member at the ABCD Mystic Valley Opportunity Center. 

A native of Greater Boston, Degenkolb moved to Everett 13 years ago and has been teaching at MHS since 2007. Since starting, he’s been heavily involved in helping students establish and maintain a number of clubs and organizations; as both a French and Haitian Creole speaker, he worked with Haitian students in the wake of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti to form a Haitian culture club.  

Having worked at the South Boston Action Center before coming to MHS, Degenkolb understands the impact community action and antipoverty organizations can have in enriching students’ lives. As an advisory board member at ABCD Mystic Valley, he’s able to play a direct role in getting students involved in everything from mentoring young children to volunteering at food pantries. “A lot of times students feel like they need to start projects themselves because they don’t know what’s already out there,” he says. “That’s where we come in.”

During his eight-year tenure as an advisory board member Degenkolb has also been heavily involved in promoting ABCD’s services to Mystic Valley businesses, elected officials, and residents. “Because I work in Malden and live in Everett, I have a connection to two of the three communities that make up Mystic Valley,” he says. Inside the walls of MHS, he has also been able to direct students in need to various ABCD programs, including getting students with unaccompanied minor status connected to ABCD’s tax assistance services.

As teachers’ roles continue to expand and evolve, Degenkolb remains resolute in his commitment to going above and beyond for his students, both in the classroom and in the community. “It feels good to do this type of work as a teacher, but I also think I have a responsibility to do it,” he says. “When you have experience and you have the ability to help others, you have to act.”