EXpEDITION

By Jairus P

It gets to the point where your struggles knock you down. Would you get back up and face it again, or would you give up and let your life problems slow you down?

Mr. Martinez stood back up, fought through the uncertainties, and turned his dream into a reality to become a history teacher.

Mr. Martinez wasn't the best, but he wasn’t the worst kid either. He had conflicts academically and with his teachers. He strove to do his best and change the course of his life and with his strong will, he made what seemed to be impossible, possible.

Martinez: “I was a terrible student. I wasn’t the type of kid that would cause trouble in class, but I was the type of kid that would sit in the back, ask no questions, really; never raised my hand, and talk to no one, keep to myself usually.”

Due to the circumstances, Mr. Martinez did not graduate high school on time. He wasn’t happy at first, but he believed and will do what he can in order for him to graduate, and now he had to go to summer school in order for him to earn his credits to graduate.

Martinez:  “I was five credits short, so I had to go to summer school and graduate. I still got my diploma, but I didn’t get to walk with my class.”

After high school, Mr. Martinez went to De Anza college to pursue his goal in life as a teacher. He worked multiple jobs in order to sustain and support his daily life. There were many obstacles and hardships that Mr. Martinez faced during college. He promised himself that he would try his best and not give up.

Martinez: “I spent six years in De Anza. I should have been done with college almost five to six years ago, but since I messed up and had to do things over again, I was in college for eight years—six in De Anza, two in San Jose State.”

In order for Mr. Martinez to help and provide for himself, he worked four jobs in the span of his college years. It was tough because he was busy at work and had school work to do at the same time. 

Martinez: “So my first job, I used to work at McDonald's. Then I worked at Target, and at Dick's Sporting Goods, and worked at a retirement home. Just being able to sleep on a Saturday for the first time in ten years feels amazing. I feel accomplished; feels nice waking up at 10 a.m.”

In his fifth year of De Anza College, Mr. Martinez’s girlfriend made him realize what he had been trying to find all along, which is to teach students the wisdom and the history of the world. He has found what he has been looking for and is excited to experience on becoming a teacher.

Martinez: “During my fifth year at De Anza college, my girlfriend helped me realize that I love history and made me realize that if I love talking about it, why don’t I also teach it?”

In his last years at De Anza College, he made it to the top. He made his way out of his grave and overcame the struggles that he faced. Ultimately, he succeeded and passed all his classes with flying colors and is ready to graduate and make everyone proud.

Martinez: “My GPA in the beginning in De Anza was 0.3, that was my GPA. I never gave up, I kept going to class, and made up my F’s. In my last year in De Anza, I made it to the Dean’s list three times to dig myself out of a 0.3 GPA. Eventually I got myself to a 2.56 to get accepted to San Jose State.’’

After six years at De Anza College, he made it into San Jose State University and continued on with his new passion in life. Even though he works at Target, that does not discourage him to share and spread love and encouragement to others. He got his credentials and he now can teach World History.

Martinez: “Once you find out what you want to do in life, just put your mind to it. It gets easy, it gets easy. Just don’t give up. After a while, you’ll know the rhythm how to do it.”

Mr. Martinez went to YB last year as a student teacher to experience what it feels like to be an actual teacher. He has noticed many different things with the students now, compared to when he was in high school. It could have been due to generation differences or how kids these days can gather up answers in a blink of an eye.

Martinez: “Compared to when I was in high school, I am surprised students don't do as much work in class. I don’t mean that the teacher doesn’t give the work, it’s just how quickly they give up, and how quickly they don’t show up at school.” 

Mr. Martinez added that the students here at YB are shy, but as long as they are comfortable around you and everyone, they will be outgoing and will communicate with you more often, which can help not just the teacher, but the students as well.

Martinez: “Every student says they are shy, but once you get them comfortable, no one is really shy at all.”

After a couple of months, Mr. Martinez has earned his credentials to teach us, students. When the school ended for the year 2021-2022, Mr. Martinez had finished his time here at YB. He enjoyed his stay and would want to go back again here soon, and that wish…came true.

Martinez: “I would say getting a phone call if I wanted to work as a summer school teacher, they called me about a week before summer school started. That was probably one of the greatest moments I’ve had in my life.”

It was great news for Mr. Martinez to work again here at YB in order to help many students during the summer.

Now Mr. Martinez is a long-term substitute teacher. He has loved the community here at YB and became a very supportive teacher throughout the year. He has a very valuable lesson to teach us from his experiences in life.  

Martinez: “Don’t be too hard on yourself, how I like to say. Let's just say you fail a test—you gotta accept your L, and just roll with it. Don’t dwell on it, don’t dwell on the past. The most important step is what’s your next step after that.”

Being able to form a relationship with students and other teachers gives freedom to himself and to the people around him. Having the chance to help out his students more gives Mr. Martinez a stress-free day or even a week.

Martinez: “Talk to your teachers, 'cause your teachers also have lives. Ask me questions and you get my honest response back. I believe when you talk to your teachers, and they are able to express their own opinion, it also gives them a break in teaching. It gives them a mental break at least 'cause now, they get to talk about themselves.“

After everything Mr. Martinez went through, he picked himself up and fought his problems. He was devastated, but with his determination and willpower, he never gave up and pursued his dream of becoming a teacher. 

Mr. Martinez encountered many rugged paths and cliffs that could have led to his downfall. But with the right choice, he chose to keep his head up and aim for the summit, where he discovered what he has been looking for his entire life, which is to do what he loves and teach what he has learned throughout his life.