History Makers: Marianna Behrends

MARIANNA BEHRENDS was raised on a ranch in the village of San Jon, near Tucumcari. After a career in industrial agriculture, she realized her dream of returning to the family ranch in 2022 and giving back to her community as a science teacher, volleyball and basketball coach, 4-H leader, and FFA sponsor.

HEAD OF THE CLASS. Behrends knew she wanted to be a teacher since the third grade, but pursued animal science and agricultural business degrees in college before returning to education. “It’s my purpose to teach and impact youth lives,” she says.

STRONG WINDS BLOWING. Inspired by animal behaviorist Temple Grandin’s amplification of women’s voices in agriculture, Behrends hopes to inspire others with a similar sense of determination and grit. She recalls a recent example with her 11-year-old daughter, as they were out calving on their 5,000-acre ranch in 70-mile-per-hour winds. “I told her that it was up to us, because there was no other help coming,” she says.

BUILT FOR SUCCESS. With her multiple roles, Behrends stands out even in a small community where pitching in to help others is second nature. Like many passionate teachers, she is driven by her students engaged with science and agriculture, and the positive results of her coaching for interviews, competitions, and college scholarships. “I see a direct correlation between need and community involvement,” she says.

FUTURE FOCUS. Behrends is part of the planning team for a new school in San Jon that will help prepare students for in-demand trade jobs like welding. “Now feels like a pivotal point to set ourselves apart to keep growing.”