De Martini Dedicated to SPED Department
Nick De Martini proves to be a helpful addition to the special education department.
By Katie Scripoch
Nick De Martini proves to be a helpful addition to the special education department.
By Katie Scripoch
The beginning of the school year has been difficult for many departments, including the special education department, having lost multiple teachers and only gaining one this year. After being interviewed and accepted for the position, Nick De Martini was welcomed to campus.
De Martini, a San Jose State University psychology graduate, came to Pioneer after a previous job working as a counselor. As a former Mustang football coach, De Martini was familiar with the environment and chose to pursue a teaching career here.
While working at his previous school, he discovered his passion for teaching special education.
“I was around special education kids just like I have all day. I felt that I was able to make a difference and be relatable to them. I had a lot of fun in that class and felt that it would be a dream to be able to do this for a living,” said De Martini.
Teachers and staff alike have been pleased with his work so far and are happy to have him here. Gonzalo Garcia-French, head of the special education department, has noticed how well De Martini works with his students and the relationships he has formed with them.
“He is good with the kids, he’s established rapport with them,” said Garcia-French.
One of the students De Martini has established a relationship with is Tevin Berrios, 12, who enjoys being in his class.
“He's a very good teacher, very welcoming. He’ll make sure you’re very focused and paying attention. He’s a nice and funny guy,” said Berrios.
Group work has been incorporated into many aspects of De Martini’s classroom.
“I love putting kids into groups, getting them out of their so-called comfort zone. I find that often they get really really comfortable out of their comfort zone and it just creates a great classroom environment that can go on for the whole year,” said De Martini.
De Martini has shown his gratitude to his students for the respect he has gained and the relationships that he has started to form with them after feeling disconnected with his students last year through distance learning.
“The students have been nothing but respectful in my class which has been great,” said De Martini. “We’ve been establishing a relationship the whole time.”
He is always there for his students when they are in need of his support. Shayna Leibovitch, 11, is grateful for his help when needed.
“Whenever I have a problem, he always comes to help me,” said Leibovitch.
Just as De Martini is there for his students, the teachers are there for him when he needs help. Support from his colleagues is available to him at all times and he is grateful for that.
"The staff has been nothing but helpful, always there to pick up the phone or send me a text when I need some help. It’s just such a great, supportive environment,” said De Martini.
According to Garcia-French, the transition from counselor to teacher is difficult for anyone, but he’s noticed how De Martini is excelling at the difficulties that come with it all while still in school for his credentials.
"He’s had a great attitude so far, rolling with the punches, it’s not an easy transition for anybody,” said Garcia-French, “It is especially true because he’s also doing his credential program with school right now, so he’s managing school, he’s managing teaching, so I’m happy, and he’s still here so I think it’s going great.”
Both colleagues and students are excited to have him in the special education department, especially after losing multiple teachers last year. De Martini enjoys teaching at Pioneer and is glad to be able to help with filling those roles.
“Being here is my favorite thing,” said De Martini, “I just felt like this campus was just such a nice group, it felt like home to me.”
De Martini, a San Jose State University psychology graduate, came to Pioneer after a previous job working as a counselor. As a former Mustang football coach, De Martini was familiar with the environment and chose to pursue a teaching career here.
While working at his previous school, he discovered his passion for teaching special education.
“I was around special education kids just like I have all day. I felt that I was able to make a difference and be relatable to them. I had a lot of fun in that class and felt that it would be a dream to be able to do this for a living,” said De Martini.
Teachers and staff alike have been pleased with his work so far and are happy to have him here. Gonzalo Garcia-French, head of the special education department, has noticed how well De Martini works with his students and the relationships he has formed with them.
“He is good with the kids, he’s established rapport with them,” said Garcia-French.
One of the students De Martini has established a relationship with is Tevin Berrios, 12, who enjoys being in his class.
“He's a very good teacher, very welcoming. He’ll make sure you’re very focused and paying attention. He’s a nice and funny guy,” said Berrios.
Group work has been incorporated into many aspects of De Martini’s classroom.
“I love putting kids into groups, getting them out of their so-called comfort zone. I find that often they get really really comfortable out of their comfort zone and it just creates a great classroom environment that can go on for the whole year,” said De Martini.
De Martini has shown his gratitude to his students for the respect he has gained and the relationships that he has started to form with them after feeling disconnected with his students last year through distance learning.
“The students have been nothing but respectful in my class which has been great,” said De Martini. “We’ve been establishing a relationship the whole time.”
He is always there for his students when they are in need of his support. Shayna Leibovitch, 11, is grateful for his help when needed.
“Whenever I have a problem, he always comes to help me,” said Leibovitch.
Just as De Martini is there for his students, the teachers are there for him when he needs help. Support from his colleagues is available to him at all times and he is grateful for that.
"The staff has been nothing but helpful, always there to pick up the phone or send me a text when I need some help. It’s just such a great, supportive environment,” said De Martini.
According to Garcia-French, the transition from counselor to teacher is difficult for anyone, but he’s noticed how De Martini is excelling at the difficulties that come with it all while still in school for his credentials.
"He’s had a great attitude so far, rolling with the punches, it’s not an easy transition for anybody,” said Garcia-French, “It is especially true because he’s also doing his credential program with school right now, so he’s managing school, he’s managing teaching, so I’m happy, and he’s still here so I think it’s going great.”
Both colleagues and students are excited to have him in the special education department, especially after losing multiple teachers last year. De Martini enjoys teaching at Pioneer and is glad to be able to help with filling those roles.
“Being here is my favorite thing,” said De Martini, “I just felt like this campus was just such a nice group, it felt like home to me.”