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Teacher Mary Martinez’s passion is getting her kindergarten students to learn despite distractions and challenges.
Even for kindergarteners, school life can both inspire and frustrate. But in the end, she and her students rely on a motivational message.
“Team work makes the dream work,” explained Martinez, who teaches at Pinecrest Elementary and is South Region Rookie Teacher of the Year.
She is in her fourth year as a teacher in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, with the fifth year being the cutoff for the “Rookie Teacher” competition.
Her kids now have returned to in-class schooling, getting excited about the holidays, seeing old friends and making new ones. It feels like it was before COVID-19, but everyone understands things have changed and will continue to change — in many ways for the better.
The way Martinez sees it, dealing with COVID-19 has been an opportunity to teach in new ways and to learn how to adapt. She was teaching virtually for a year, which required learning and implementing strategies to motivate herself and students. Mary watched the kids as they focused and strayed, keeping them interested by changing the lessons, by using different words and by getting them to work together even if they were miles apart.
Some of her best moments took place outside, when kids gathered at the park to see each other and their teacher.
“They would say, ‘I’m bringing my Legos…to the park,’” she said. “They were so excited and really looked forward to our regular get-togethers.”
Like all kids, the brightness in their eyes led the way for them to return to the classroom.
They brought their energy and their enthusiasm, which was like sunshine returning to her life, Martinez said.
“I’m so excited to see where the rest of the year takes us,” she said. “There is so much potential, so many fun things to do, so many great memories to create. It’s going to be a great 2022.”
Mary is now competing for districtwide Rookie Teacher of the Year.
