When Daniel Martinez\u2019 mother arrived in Canada as a refugee with just $2 to her name, she dreamed of providing a good education for her future children.<\/p>\n
During Spring Convocation, Martinez graduated from Brock University\u2019s Consecutive Teacher Education program, making his mother’s \u2014 and his own \u2014 dreams become a reality.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s always been somebody to push people to keep bettering themselves,\u201d said Martinez of his mom, who was a kindergarten teacher in Guatemala. \u201cMaybe it’s just the teacher inside of her.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to his own mom being a passionate educator, Martinez was also inspired by his high school science teacher to follow that same rewarding and demanding path.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople don’t realize how important education is,” he said. “It can help you break a cycle. It can help you better yourself.”<\/p>\n
He hopes to make a difference in the lives of kids, particularly for those from low-income families, as a Grade 4 to 10 science teacher, and perhaps eventually as a guidance counsellor.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand I am in a privileged spot now going through university, but I started off in a low-income family,\u201d\u00a0said Martinez. \u201cI understand where those kids come from.\u201d<\/p>\n
After coming to Canada, his mother retrained as a personal support worker. His father, who immigrated from Nicaragua, works in a factory. Both worked long, gruelling hours to ensure their two sons would have more opportunities.<\/p>\n
When the time came for Martinez to decide which university he wanted to attend to pursue his dream of becoming a teacher, Brock was already on his radar. His older brother, also a teacher, is a Brock graduate. His brother’s positive experience, combined with Brock’s reputation for having an exceptional teaching program and a tight-knit community, made his decision an easy one.<\/p>\n
Martinez originally started at Brock in the Concurrent Teacher Education program but decided to complete a general science undergraduate degree instead. After graduating, he took a year off before returning to Brock to do the Consecutive Teacher Education program. During his year off, Martinez worked as a supervisor for YMCA before and after school care programs in Brantford schools.<\/p>\n
As a teacher candidate, Martinez took advantage of every opportunity to prepare for his career as a teacher.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou’re learning every day how to improve yourself,\u201d\u00a0he said about working in the field.<\/p>\n
During his time as a student, he attended as many professional development activities as possible and has been able to use the information he learned to prepare for job interviews, and\u00a0volunteered as a tutor with the schools where he completed his practicum placements.<\/p>\n
His hard work paid off, and has\u00a0been hired by both the District School Board of Niagara and the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board.<\/p>\n
He also learned from the way instructors and faculty in the program modeled teaching strategies in his classes and supported the success of teacher candidates.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are the nicest faculty I\u2019ve ever met,\u201d said Martinez. \u201cThey all care for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now that he\u2019s at the end of his time at Brock, Martinez has some advice for incoming teacher candidates starting their education careers at Brock.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust be open minded, be reflective and have fun with it,” he said. It’s a great place.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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