Saturday, July 19, 2008

Martinez gives students time, math skills

Argen Duncan El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

Socorro teacher Barbara Martinez assigns a lot of homework, but her students end up liking her anyway.

Martinez stays involved with her students and gives much of her time to help them learn.

One of her students, Sam Boykin, 13, nominated her as an El Defensor Chieftain Unsung Hero.

Martinez taught math at Sarracino Middle School for some time and is slated to move to Socorro High School's Ninth Grade Academy next year. She recently returned to college to earn a master's degree and a secondary education certification.

Also, this summer, Martinez is working in California as the coordinator of an enrichment program for high school students, many of whom come from other countries.

"She's always in early, and she stays late," Boykin said. "She's always willing to help you with your work."

When Boykin had trouble with his math, he came to Martinez for tutoring in the morning. The teacher tried hard to help students learn, Boykin said, and he appreciated her class, even though she gave a lot of homework.

"I've never learned as much as I learned in that class," Boykin said.

Also, Martinez attended extra-curricular activities, especially sports events, and helped tutor after school one semester.

"She's just always there to help, and she gives up so much of her time to teach us," Boykin said.

Incoming eighth-grader John Carilli said Martinez is a good teacher and likes to use the overhead projector.

"She can keep the class quiet really well," Carilli said.

The student said Martinez' class is hard, with homework every night and more than one lesson from the book a day.

"I didn't like it at the time, but when tests came around, I was pretty happy we had the experience," Carilli continued.

During Martinez' time at the middle school, said Sarracino Principal Jean Walker, she was instrumental in helping students make the transition to high school.

"She was somebody who had standards and expectations that helped the students she had perform at the high school level," Walker said.

Martinez has been involved in end-of-the-year eighth-grade activities and in the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program. Like Boykin, Walker noted Martinez' support of student sports.

"You'll find her at football games, basketball games, volleyball games," the principal said.

Teacher Steven Montoya worked with Martinez at Sarracino.

"She just does such a good job in getting those kids ready to take Algebra I at the high school, any of those kids can test out of algebra I and go straight to Geometry," Montoya said.

Many students think Martinez is a hard teacher at first, Montoya said, but they often come back and thank her for the good foundation of knowledge. He said Martinez is one of the most well-liked teachers.

Martinez, a die-hard Dallas Cowboys and University of New Mexico Lobos fan, likes to talk about sports with students and relate to them on a friendly level.

"I think that she is a good friend, and a very good teacher," Montoya said.

When he was new to the district, Martinez was willing to help with anything he needed.

Martinez' husband, Kevin Carson, said his wife is a dedicated teacher and enjoys working with students.

"She gets a lot of satisfaction out of it, I think," Carson said.

Also, he said Martinez is a good wife.

"She has a really good positive outlook on things," Carson said.

aduncan@dchieftain.com

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