I chose to work at the Academy at Middle Fork because the mission of the school aligns with my core beliefs — I believe that education should be socially just, sustainable and community-based.
Liliana Martinez, originally from Mount Airy, North Carolina, earned a B.S. in elementary education and an M.A. in reading education from Appalachian State University in 2019 and 2020 respectively. She also holds a graduate certificate in teaching emergent bilingual populations in content areas, also from App State. Martinez currently serves as one of the Academy at Middle Fork’s first-grade teachers. Read on to learn more:
Why did you choose to work at the Academy?
I chose to work at the Academy at Middle Fork because the mission of the school aligns with my core beliefs — I believe that education should be socially just, sustainable and community-based.
What's your favorite part about working at the Academy?
My favorite part is that teachers are supported in providing the best education possible for all our students. When a teacher needs help with something they are willing to reach out for support and receive it.
How are you impacting education in your community?
I have participated in research projects that aim to impact education by creating toolkits for teachers to help with community outreach and connecting with students and their families. I hope these toolkits can be used to expand teachers’ knowledge while also being classroom resources.
What was your favorite subject when you were in elementary school?
Math
The Academy has a reading literacy focus. What is your favorite book?
The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez
“Learning together” is a core commitment of the Academy. What does "learning together" mean to you?
Learning together means that learning at the Academy happens with teachers and students working together towards a goal.
Describe an experience where you "learned together" at the Academy.
In my classroom, we have learned together often. Each time we discuss a story or solve a math problem using a variety of strategies and actively engage in a lesson together, we are learning together.
I have also “learned together” with faculty members from App State’s Reich College of Education. During the summer of 2021, I was able to facilitate workshops with Dr. Shanan Fitts and Dr. Greg McClure that focused on empowering Latinx families to share a video story. These workshops enabled me to connect with families in Watauga county and recognize the hardships that they have overcome. It also helped me to reflect on how powerful storytelling can be and how I can implement a similar workshop in my own classroom.
Just for fun, what is your favorite candy?
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Liliana Martinez
