My three year old son is the light of my life. Spending quality time with him is a priority for me. We both enjoy gardening together.
Ms. Martz Profile
At the heart of it, I am a caring person who enjoys working with young people and aims to facilitate well-being through meaningful learning. I am passionate about science and environmental education, social justice leadership, and Aboriginal enhancement.
Key goals as an educator:
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to foster belonging and achievement through cultivating a welcoming and stimulating learning environment where students are actively engaged in multi-modal student-centred activities catering to diverse learning styles.
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providing learning opportunities that students are passionate about, and am committed to supporting students in pursuing extra-curricular activities.
Personal qualities that support my teaching practice:
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being joyful, responsible, adaptable, enthusiastic, and creative, while having a calm, caring, and supportive attitude.
Teaching Scope and Experience:
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Secondary Education: Taught Senior Biology, Junior Sciences, and Science & Technology during 12 week practicum. Also, interested in teaching First Nations Studies, Planning 10, Outdoor Education and in the International Baccalaureate Program.
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Elementary Education: Taught at Grandview/uuqinak'uuh Elementary Earth School (grades K-7) for three years). Topics included: Outdoor Experiential Learning, Environmental Education, School Gardening, Food Systems, Healthy Eating, and Aboriginal Connections.
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Taught in International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme.
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Aboriginal Education Coordinator for Boston Bar First Nation.
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Teaching Assistance and Problem-based Learning Facilitator for courses in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, as well as Botany, at the University of British Columbia.
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Diversity and Anti-Racism Workshop Facilitator and Youth Facilitator Trainer.
Aboriginal Learner Success:
For the past eight years I have worked in an Aboriginal context developing and coordinating educational programs, on reserve and in public school. These initiatives contributed to participants’ increased sense of agency, positive Aboriginal identity, and participation in making healthy lifestyle choices.
This includes being the coordinator of the Spirit of the Garden Program since 2011 at Grandview Uuqinak’uuh Elementary School, where over 60% of the population identify as having Aboriginal ancestry. My responsibilities include teaching food systems knowledge and healthy eating through hands-on year round learning.
Prior to this I worked with Boston Bar First Nation over six years on community-based education initiatives aimed at revitalizing traditional cultural practices while building local education and health capacity. As the BBFN Education Coordinator I secured education funding through grant writing, co-developed multi-year culturally relevant summer youth programs, acted as a teaching assistant to certification courses, ran a popular on-reserve home-work club, and helped facilitate youth meetings, sport and cultural events.