Acute Welcoming For New Math Teacher Martinez
The math department welcomes a new math teacher to give students more teacher support and smaller classes.
By Jisela Negrete
The math department welcomes a new math teacher to give students more teacher support and smaller classes.
By Jisela Negrete
After a long vacancy within the math department, Louburn Martinez has joined, taking over three algebra classes and two geometry classes. There are a total of 70 algebra students and 40 geometry students that were previously taught online, who now have a permanent teacher. These students now are able to get the support that Edgenuity was not able to provide.
Prior to joining Pioneer’s math department, Martinez went to school at Walden University getting her Instruction Curricular Assessment Degree. Martinez then started teaching at Anglican Elementary School in Belize and Summer School at Anglican High School where she remained for 22 years.
“I left the job where I was a vice principal and admin for three years. And then I did principal for four years. I also did high school math at one of our Anglican colleges,” said Martinez.
Prior to her arrival, students learned the required algebra and geometry curriculum through the online program, Edgenuity. Many students found learning math online to be a challenge and are relieved to have an in-person teacher to give support.
“Learning from Martinez is way easier than doing Edgenuity because she actually explains things to us and we have a lot more resources that we didn't have before,” said Kassandra Andalon, 9.
On the other hand, learning online for students was beneficial for some students as it allowed them to work independently. Diana Reyes, 10 is one of Martinez’s geometry classes and feels that class has been more tough to understand.
“Class was more independent, (and) now that we are with Ms. Martinez it's more of a group thing. It’s kind of difficult to adapt again,” said Reyes.
With Martinez now in the classroom, she has supported her students with ease because her past experience with teaching in Belize made teaching with students trouble-free.
“She really empathizes with a lot of the questions, she makes it make more sense and she also is really helpful because she shows us videos which have helped a lot,” said Chole Crogan, 9.
Martinez arrived without knowing what to expect, however the Pioneer community has reminded her of her home. She is hopeful that her positive experience will continue and she will become an important asset to the team.
“I was welcomed and that was something I like because where I come from we have friendship. We have that outgoing saying, no person should be left behind. We have that unity, that friendship so I came here and I’ve found that. That's why I say I like it here, I don’t want to move from here,” said Martinez.
Just as Martinez has felt welcomed, students have also felt welcomed in her classroom environment more than ever.
“Martinez has made the class a lot more organized and we actually are learning things. Before we would learn random topics. She tries to help people if they are struggling and lets people ask questions,” said Rizwan Khan, 10.
Math department chair Aruna Renduchintala has noticed the new support Martinez has offered to math teachers and students.
“I see students are engaged better and clarifying questions and definitely learning and understanding concepts much better,” said Renduchintala.
The addition of Martinez to the math department has had positive changes to the campus with students, teachers and admin. Although fairly new to campus, she already has her passion for teaching and wanting to teach for many years to come.
“Martinez volunteered to observe math classes to understand the curriculum and the school culture to prepare herself even before she was hired. This shows her dedication to students, to the math department and to the school,” said Renduchintala.
Prior to joining Pioneer’s math department, Martinez went to school at Walden University getting her Instruction Curricular Assessment Degree. Martinez then started teaching at Anglican Elementary School in Belize and Summer School at Anglican High School where she remained for 22 years.
“I left the job where I was a vice principal and admin for three years. And then I did principal for four years. I also did high school math at one of our Anglican colleges,” said Martinez.
Prior to her arrival, students learned the required algebra and geometry curriculum through the online program, Edgenuity. Many students found learning math online to be a challenge and are relieved to have an in-person teacher to give support.
“Learning from Martinez is way easier than doing Edgenuity because she actually explains things to us and we have a lot more resources that we didn't have before,” said Kassandra Andalon, 9.
On the other hand, learning online for students was beneficial for some students as it allowed them to work independently. Diana Reyes, 10 is one of Martinez’s geometry classes and feels that class has been more tough to understand.
“Class was more independent, (and) now that we are with Ms. Martinez it's more of a group thing. It’s kind of difficult to adapt again,” said Reyes.
With Martinez now in the classroom, she has supported her students with ease because her past experience with teaching in Belize made teaching with students trouble-free.
“She really empathizes with a lot of the questions, she makes it make more sense and she also is really helpful because she shows us videos which have helped a lot,” said Chole Crogan, 9.
Martinez arrived without knowing what to expect, however the Pioneer community has reminded her of her home. She is hopeful that her positive experience will continue and she will become an important asset to the team.
“I was welcomed and that was something I like because where I come from we have friendship. We have that outgoing saying, no person should be left behind. We have that unity, that friendship so I came here and I’ve found that. That's why I say I like it here, I don’t want to move from here,” said Martinez.
Just as Martinez has felt welcomed, students have also felt welcomed in her classroom environment more than ever.
“Martinez has made the class a lot more organized and we actually are learning things. Before we would learn random topics. She tries to help people if they are struggling and lets people ask questions,” said Rizwan Khan, 10.
Math department chair Aruna Renduchintala has noticed the new support Martinez has offered to math teachers and students.
“I see students are engaged better and clarifying questions and definitely learning and understanding concepts much better,” said Renduchintala.
The addition of Martinez to the math department has had positive changes to the campus with students, teachers and admin. Although fairly new to campus, she already has her passion for teaching and wanting to teach for many years to come.
“Martinez volunteered to observe math classes to understand the curriculum and the school culture to prepare herself even before she was hired. This shows her dedication to students, to the math department and to the school,” said Renduchintala.