A
modern day "Bill Nye the Science Girl" Wendy Martin personifies all that
is teacher, woman, mother, and science. Truly giving meaning to Nyes
catch phrase Science Rules! Mrs. Martin not only drives students to
excel academically, but instills a passion for the often detested
subject. Teaching at the high school level is a complex occupation. It
is a delicate task of balancing instruction, respect, care, and creating
an environment where students are comfortable and want to succeed. Mrs.
Martin does this PERFECTLY. Teaching Biology, Honors Biology, Anatomy
and Physiology, and AP Biology, students request limited space in her
classes. This can be attributed to her real love of science. I mean come
on, if she can get this excited about spores and cytoplasm etc., there
has got to be a method to her madness! Seriously though- MADNESS. Veins
quite literally bulging, Birkenstock clad Martin often becomes so
enthused at the prospect of upcoming DNA Day, she throws a class
“holiday” which include snacks, drinks, and of course a typical
cheek-cell DNA necklace. Yes, I did type that correctly. With printed
instructions in hand, we actually do craft necklaces composed of string
and a vial of our own DNA. This is just the beginning of the fun, but
quirky, habits that define Mrs. Martin’s teaching style. In Anatomy, one
of the projects she has designed is a digestive system shirt. In
groups, we are to create an accurate model of the digestive system,
enzymes included, with 3-Dimensional objects fashioned to a standard
t-shirt. After these often- ridiculous articles of clothing are finished
(flutes for esophagus, slinky large intestines) she facetiously offers
us extra credit to wear them. In a “normal” classroom, self-conscious
teenagers would be less than willing to do so. However, in the classroom
conditions flawlessly constructed by Martin, wearing a crazy digestive
system t-shirt IS the norm.
In her free time (in between classes), Mrs. Martin becomes a part time zoologist and entomologist. Whether it’s the up-keeping of the brood of baby ducklings that grace the Science Wing’s courtyard every spring, or the capturing of a horrifying hallway tarantula (okay Wolf Spider), she always has something up her sleeve. Watch your step! Boomer and Boxer, the resident turtles, have become not only her pets, but I daresay friends. She even has named her model skeleton, Stan, whom she often seasonally decorates and has conversations with.
Taking science out of the classroom, she recently took a group of students on a scientific field trip to Costa Rica. With her unbridled passion for learning, she led us in each and every activity: bat poop collection, rescuing a sloth during a white water rafting adventure, giant plant and leaf identification, climbing a volcano, and whizzing through the clouds while on a zip-lining expedition through the rain forest. (See photo!)
However, it is not only her gregarious personality, exceptional teaching style, and down-right love of students we find important to highlight. As head of the Assumption High School Blood Drive Committee, she tirelessly and successfully recruits record numbers of our students to donate to this important cause. Although she has led this group for many years, recently the true importance and life-saving qualities of blood became a reality for her. Mrs. Martin’s 3 year old son, Nate or Nater had his arm severed in a riding lawn mowing accident. Fighting for survival, without the gift of life which his mother works diligently for, he could not have pulled through. Thankfully, he did, and is now, I can personally attest, no different than any other spirited toddler. Although many would shy away from the sensitive subject, Mrs. Martin turned Nate’s experiences into lessons for her students. Paired with the twinkling eyed recollections of his humorous mannerisms and love of Spiderman, Mrs. Martin taught us about the challenges that Nate was overcoming each day. Explaining both the effect of balance, and the workings of a prosthetic arm, she personally explained his condition in a scientific manner. It was not only eye-opening, but a sense of awe and respect for both Nate and his wonderful mom was seen on each and every student's face.
If anyone is to deserve this award, it is Wendy Martin. She has taken her role as educator to a new level by being an inspiration, a friend, and community and personal hero.
In her free time (in between classes), Mrs. Martin becomes a part time zoologist and entomologist. Whether it’s the up-keeping of the brood of baby ducklings that grace the Science Wing’s courtyard every spring, or the capturing of a horrifying hallway tarantula (okay Wolf Spider), she always has something up her sleeve. Watch your step! Boomer and Boxer, the resident turtles, have become not only her pets, but I daresay friends. She even has named her model skeleton, Stan, whom she often seasonally decorates and has conversations with.
Taking science out of the classroom, she recently took a group of students on a scientific field trip to Costa Rica. With her unbridled passion for learning, she led us in each and every activity: bat poop collection, rescuing a sloth during a white water rafting adventure, giant plant and leaf identification, climbing a volcano, and whizzing through the clouds while on a zip-lining expedition through the rain forest. (See photo!)
However, it is not only her gregarious personality, exceptional teaching style, and down-right love of students we find important to highlight. As head of the Assumption High School Blood Drive Committee, she tirelessly and successfully recruits record numbers of our students to donate to this important cause. Although she has led this group for many years, recently the true importance and life-saving qualities of blood became a reality for her. Mrs. Martin’s 3 year old son, Nate or Nater had his arm severed in a riding lawn mowing accident. Fighting for survival, without the gift of life which his mother works diligently for, he could not have pulled through. Thankfully, he did, and is now, I can personally attest, no different than any other spirited toddler. Although many would shy away from the sensitive subject, Mrs. Martin turned Nate’s experiences into lessons for her students. Paired with the twinkling eyed recollections of his humorous mannerisms and love of Spiderman, Mrs. Martin taught us about the challenges that Nate was overcoming each day. Explaining both the effect of balance, and the workings of a prosthetic arm, she personally explained his condition in a scientific manner. It was not only eye-opening, but a sense of awe and respect for both Nate and his wonderful mom was seen on each and every student's face.
If anyone is to deserve this award, it is Wendy Martin. She has taken her role as educator to a new level by being an inspiration, a friend, and community and personal hero.
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