If you have ever stepped into the Student Services office at MHS, you have probably heard an infamous laugh coming from an office. That would be Mr. Mauck, Senior class counselor, head wrestling coach, assistant football coach, and the ultimate pep-talker. Between all of his different roles, he still finds time to prioritize students and always has an open door, accepting students to walk in and chat.
“My favorite part of being at Muscatine High School is… 3:45,” he laughs, referring to the end of the school day. “Just kidding. Honestly, it’s working with really, really good people. The student services department is awesome, and our administrators work really well together. It’s a good team.”
Another rewarding aspect of his job is getting to see students grow and graduate. Especially comparing them from freshman year to senior year, there is often a big difference.
“It’s always fun to have your students become seniors. As they’ve grown up, it’s a lot easier to relate to them. “Easier” might not be the best word, but it’s just different,” Mauck said. “They’re young adults now, so our conversations aren’t all drama or ‘the world is ending.’ There’s more reasoning, and that’s a lot of fun too.”
Mr. Mauck has been coaching wrestling at MHS for 17 years, including five as head coach. He is very busy, especially during wrestling season. Here’s a day in his life when he switches from Counselor Mauck to Coach Mauck. 
Although he tries to keep his cool, Mr. Mauck admits that sometimes his multiple jobs at once can be difficult, especially when dealing with teenagers and their complex feelings.
“With wrestling, if they’re crabby, it’s usually because of weight cuts or tiredness. That’s easier to handle—more of a ‘suck it up, buttercup’ situation,” said Mauck, “When teens are younger, it’s harder to reason, it feels like their whole world is ending, but as they get older, they understand life more and are more open to advice.”
Mauck is known for having good rapport with lots of people and staff in the building. He knows the ins and out and who he would choose to be on his wrestling roster. If the school hosted a faculty wrestling night and everyone had to participate, he knows who he would pick – Mr. Paul.
“When Mr. Johnson was still here teaching science, he’d have won, no question. But now? My money’s on Mr. Paul—he wrestled, he knows what he’s doing, and he’s strong,” joked Mauck.
Mr. Mauck has been at MHS for nine years and has always been busy. If Mauck could give one piece of advice to anyone reading this story, he says, “Pick a direction. I really dislike the phrase ‘I don’t know.’ You don’t need to have your life figured out at 15, but you need to at least point yourself somewhere. You can always change course when something new comes along. But at least start moving.”
