top of page

Sarah Antonia Martz

Passionate about environmental education and experiential learning ~ inspiring the mind, body, heart and spirit.

Professional info

 

My primary goal is to be a positive and enthusiastic contributor in education. I am passionate about meaningful learning, being a culturally-responsive educator, and enjoy teaching diverse students.  I received special training to teach secondary junior Sciences (Grades 8-10) and senior Biology (Grades 11-12). I am also experienced in teaching elementary school classes, including Kindergarten and the International Baccaleureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP).  As a multidisciplinary person I welcome opportunities to grow in other teachable areas, such as First Nations Studies, Planning 10, Physical Education, ESL classes, Gifted Enrichment Programs, Librarian, Outdoor Education and the IB Program.

Relevant Work History

 

Oct 2014 – Jun 2015

Full-time position as Associate Teacher at Brockton School with K-12 classes and member of the International Baccalaureate Organization.  I mainly supported and taught Kindergarten and Grade 5, as well as subbed in all PYP Grades, Library, and upper school courses.  In addition, I co-developed and led a science club for primary school. 

 

Oct 2011 – Oct 2014

Environmental Educator for Vancouver Coastal Health, employed as Coordinator for the Spirit of the Garden Program at Grandview/¿uuqinak’uuh Elementary Earth School in Vancouver’s downtown East-side teaching food system knowledge and practice to elementary school students, grades K to 7.

 

May 2006 – Sep 2013

Environmental Scientist and Aboriginal Engagement Specialist with Hemmera, Stantec, Rescan and Cascade Environmental Consultants (Vancouver, BC). Responsible for Aboriginal engagement, traditional land use studies, vegetative surveys and terrestrial ecosystem mapping.

 

May 2004 – Sep 2007

Education Coordinator for Boston Bar First Nation’s Youth Excellence Program. Developed and facilitated multi-year summer program focused on revitalizing traditional cultural practices, while building capacity in education, research, health and employment.

 

Sep 2003 – May 2006

Teaching Assistant & Problem-based Learning Facilitator, UBC Faculty of Land and Food Systems: Courses BIOL 342 (Plants and People),AGRO 360 (Agro-ecology), AGSCI 350 (Land, Food, and Community), FNH 250 (Nutrition Concepts), and FNH 370 (Nutrition Assessment).

 

Sep 1997 – Mar 2000

Coordinator, Reaching Across Differences youth committee for North Okanagan Social Planning Council. Coordinated meetings, trained facilitators and facilitated workshops at elementary schools in the N Okanagan on diversity topics. Coordinated provincial anti-racism conferences.

 

CURRENT COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

 

2014 – Present 

Director, Board of Creekview Housing Co-operative.  Involved in governing housing co-operative with 109 Principal Members, a daycare, and special group housing for people with disability.  Acting as Secretary and liaison for Education Committee.

 

2012 – Present 

Member, Garden Committee, Creekview Housing Co-operative.  Co-founder and education coordinator of the community food garden.

 

2011 – Present 

Co-founder and Director, Hybrid Ancestry Public Arts (HAPA) Society, on steering committee for Hapa-palooza Festival Canada's largest celebration of diverse ancestry and cultural heritage.

 

2008 – 2013        

Director, Global Peace Network (GPN) Canada providing health and education opportunities to impoverished children in Tanzania, East Africa, where GPN has supported hundreds of street-children to attend school and secure housing, sustenance and health care, as well as build and run a rural health care clinic.

 

2004 – 2005        

UBC Senate, Student Caucus, elected member at large.  Co-chair of Senate Student Caucus internal review committee, and member of Academic Policy and University Commission committee.

 

2003 – 2004        

Graduate Student Society Council Member, Representative for Plant Science.

 

2002 – 2003        

Executive, Communications for UBC Social Justice Centre

 

2001 – 2002        

Executive, Public Relations for Amnesty International UBC

 

1997 – 1999        

Affiliation for Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies (AMSSA), provincial youth representative for North Okanagan. 

 

1996 – 2001        

Workshop Trainer and Facilitator on the topics of leadership, action planning, diversity training, and discrimination at conferences and community workshops.

 

1996 – 1999        

BC Student Voice and BC Student Leadership,  provincial youth representative, on steering committee for Galaxy of Stars Conference, hosted by District 22, Vernon.

Education

 

2014  Bachelor of Education, Teachable Secondary Sciences, Senior Biology, University of British Columbia, Faculty of Education, Vancouver, BC.

 

2009  Master of Science, Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, Vancouver, BC.

 

Thesis:  Connecting Our Roots – holistic health research with Boston Bar First Nation revitalizing traditional plant knowledge and building education capacity using an integrated community-based participatory action research approach. [Link]

 

2003  Bachelor of Science, Major Biology – Plant Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.

 

Certification

 

2013      

  • Occupational First Aid –    Industry Standard Level 1

  • Food Safe Level 1

 

2006      

  • First Host and UBC First Nation House of Learning Leadership Program Graduate

 

2003      

  • Problem-based Learning Facilitator

 

1997      

  • Anti-racism and Diversity Workshop Facilitator

 

 

Highlighted Qualifications

 

  • Over a decade of work experience in multiple education settings where I have enjoyed teaching children and youth of diverse backgrounds.

  • For the past 8 years I have worked in an Aboriginal context developing and coordinating educational programs, on reserve and in public school, focused on holistic education.

  • Teaching experience in International Baccalaureate, primary education, and specialized in junior Sciences and senior Biology.

  • Excellent teaching qualities are highlighted in positive reference letters, Final Practicum Reports, as well as feedback from students.

  • Key goals as an educator are 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.

  • Personal qualities that support my teaching practice include being joyful, responsible, flexible, enthusiastic, and creative, while having a calm, caring, and supportive attitude.

  • As an environmental educator I am passionate about sustainability, school gardening, science and healthy lifestyles.  I am also an expert on BC traditional plant knowledge and use.

  • I am a certified and experienced problem-based learning (PBL) facilitator, and have facilitated hundreds of workshops on diversity and anti-discrimination.

  • Extra-curricular involvement has included: science club, school gardening, leadership, social justice clubs, gay-straight alliance, and multiple sports, including track & field, basketball, volleyball, and soccer.

2010 - present

2010 - present

bottom of page