Chris Martin

All my life I have struggled with math. As long as I can remember, low grades, and terrible test and quiz scores. Staying in from recess because I did so bad on my multiplication table quizzes. C+ in Geometry and not understanding anything in Algebra. The list goes on and on. “Just try harder.” was all that anyone could say to me. Heading into Junior year, I was more fearful than ever. I knew I was enrolled in a slower paced class, but that might not even be enough to help me, I think to myself. I truly believed that I could never succeed in math; until Mr. Martin’s class. The atmosphere he creates in his class helps me to do my best work. The confidence that radiates from his voice and the jokes he cracks in his lessons makes math feel lighter. This made me realize that math is not all that serious, and I have been taking the failures to heart. He takes his time to go around to each student as we need help. There’s no pressure to raise your hand during lessons. He doesn’t randomly call on students, which makes the environment beyond relaxed. He knows what each student is capable of. His corny jokes always put a smile on our faces. I can condifelty say he is the best math teacher I have had in my school career. Mr. Martin is a talkative teacher and goes into in-depth conversations with his students. Math isn’t his only concern. He is a social teacher who never leaves the room with uncomfortable silence. He takes an interest in us. If there's a day that you’re feeling behind or slow he doesn't judge. He helps you catch up without pressure. Everything is the perfect pace for me. Although I may not have mastered math, I am more confident than I have been in the past years. I no longer dread going to math. I enjoy seeing my classmates that also love Mr. Martin. He creates a close knit community without even trying. When it comes to quiz or test day, my anxiety rises and I feel that sense of failure coming my way again. In class I often have many questions and sometimes even ask if I am doing the questions correctly because of my confidence issues. From past experiences, I have been limited to 3 questions per quiz or test because the teacher said I asked too many. But in Mr. Martin’s class, this is not the case. I know that when I raise my hand for help, Mr. Martin will explain in many different ways and help me use my class resources to better understand the problem or unit we are focusing on. Mr. Martin has transformed not only the way that I think about math, but also the way I feel about the work I do in math. He has given me the confidence I need in order to reach amazing grades and helped me achieve an overall better understanding of the material and concept of math as a whole.

Alissa Nelson