Martha Saldana-Beene

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because young children are natural scientists. They ask why, test ideas, and learn by exploring the world around them. I wanted to create a classroom where curiosity leads to learning. Students naturally experiment, observe, and discover how things work. Teaching allows me to nurture that sense of wonder and show students that science is a way to understand the world.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable moments was watching students investigate wheels and motion during play. They tested ramps, pushed cars, and predicted what would happen next. When one student shouted, “It goes faster when it’s higher!” the whole group began experimenting with other materials to change the height. That moment captured real science, Learning through play.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would make my dream come true and create an outdoor STEM learning environment where students can explore science through play. We would build spaces for gardening, discovery stations, block engineering, a mud kitchen for sensory exploration, fine motor labs, dramatic play areas, and an outdoor library. These spaces would turn our playground into a living science lab where children can observe nature, test ideas, and learn through hands-on exploration.