Jennifer Martens

Tell us why you became a teacher

I struggled in school and had a teacher tell me I was not very smart. I was being pulled often for reading remediation. It was embarrassing. It wasn’t until I was in 10th grade that a teacher told me how smart I truly was and I was good at explaining information to those that are struggling. She inspired me to go into teaching.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

There are so many. My first year I got a student whose parent told me she struggled with Math and confidence. By the end of the year she was one of my best students and her mom was so thankful. It truly made me feel like I was in the right place.

What would you do with the $25,000?

That is such a large amount and there are so many possibilities I am not sure. I would like to help students in need with food and clothing. We have a PBIS system and I would like to turn a classroom into a clothing shop. So students that need could spend their earned rewards and shop for things they might need at home.