Hello! My name is Amanda Martin. I reside in Falcon with my husband, Jeff, and my thirteen-year-old son who attends Falcon Middle School. In my spare time I hang out with family and friends. My son, Kameryn, and I love dancing and singing. You can also find me on the soccer field all around Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. When we are not busy with soccer, we are camping, hiking, swimming, fishing, and racing. In my spare time, I enjoy planning so I can become the most effective educator to impact my student's lives. I also I enjoy reading, bike riding, playing badminton, swimming, tennis, walking, watching movies and of course shopping.
I am so very excited and incredibly honored to work at Bennett Ranch Elementary. I will be embarking on my ninth year teaching. I began student teaching in 3rd-grade and transitioned into a 2nd-grade classroom, where I completed my solo teaching and the school year. I graduated in May 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado Denver. After graduating, I returned to a Denver Public School and stayed there for six years. At that time I taught second grade for five years and then fourth grade. We moved to Falcon, and I accepted a position as a 2nd-grade teacher at Evan International Elementary School. Last year I moved to 4th grade and loved every memory made. This year I finished my Masters in Administration. My hope is to spread my knowledge all around Bennett Ranch.
My prior career I was employed as a Kindergarten Enrichment Specialist as well as an Assistant Director for a Before and After Care in Douglas County (3 years) and Cherry Creek School District (5 years) for a little over seven years of experience. I had an opportunity to continue my education full-time and did so :)
I look forward to an eventful year making memories!
Yours in education,
Amanda Martin
Teacher Manifesto
As a teacher, I believe I have the power and knowledge to become an agency in change by being aware of the differences each individual child offers, and addressing each issue with equity. Because what they don’t know about themselves, I can bring to the table for discussion. If there is any sort of problem, taking initiative to talk to them and help them find an outcome or solution will allow them to see beyond the limitations. I also believe that I can promote learning among children due to their environment and qualities. Once I discover their Funds of Knowledge, I can base a curriculum that can identify with locality, community and social structure, while instilling state standards. I have to take into consideration the content of the community I will be teaching. Doing a community “drive-by” is not enough. I will need to be an advocate for the community by knowing where resources are that can help families.
As a teacher, I will use background to help me become aware of how to present the information using backwards by design, incorporating the standards to help me differentiate to accommodate all needs, and learning types. I know I have no control over the curriculum, but I do have control over what to uncover based on the units and information during the pre/post assessment.
As a teacher, I will have to primarily, accept change. I am a very structured, stick-to-the-book kind of person. However, I realized that it is necessary to allow change in systems. Especially if I have to differentiate the unit or lesson to help, ALL of my students learn including ELA/ELL/SPED. It is important to me to bridge the gap, and to do so, I will need to find the importance in analyzing data and interpreting to so that instruction can become what EACH student needs to give them the success to motivate and engage in any academic environment. It will create a domino effect of the social environment and assist in construction of behavior as I have read in several texts throughout this training.
As a teacher, I will have to stand up for unfair practices, join labor unions, and continue to promote, support and speak out against unfair practices in and out of the community.
As a teacher I will take have to be willing to take risks. Being a risk-taker brings me one-step closer towards my goal, a leader of change. I can’t promote something if I don’t follow it myself. My first step is addressing the problem, and contributing a cure. Placing the issue on the “back burner” only causes unwanted tension. I find it very important to leave anything open for discussion. With discussion, I am able to sincerely listen, and do something about it. The more I listen, the better chance I have of being an advocate for better opportunities for each individual.
As a teacher, I will do my best to refine each students mind with the appropriate knowledge by developing and growing them into an important part of their community and shedding light on the bigger picture, citizens of the United States.
I am so very excited and incredibly honored to work at Bennett Ranch Elementary. I will be embarking on my ninth year teaching. I began student teaching in 3rd-grade and transitioned into a 2nd-grade classroom, where I completed my solo teaching and the school year. I graduated in May 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado Denver. After graduating, I returned to a Denver Public School and stayed there for six years. At that time I taught second grade for five years and then fourth grade. We moved to Falcon, and I accepted a position as a 2nd-grade teacher at Evan International Elementary School. Last year I moved to 4th grade and loved every memory made. This year I finished my Masters in Administration. My hope is to spread my knowledge all around Bennett Ranch.
My prior career I was employed as a Kindergarten Enrichment Specialist as well as an Assistant Director for a Before and After Care in Douglas County (3 years) and Cherry Creek School District (5 years) for a little over seven years of experience. I had an opportunity to continue my education full-time and did so :)
I look forward to an eventful year making memories!
Yours in education,
Amanda Martin
Teacher Manifesto
As a teacher, I believe I have the power and knowledge to become an agency in change by being aware of the differences each individual child offers, and addressing each issue with equity. Because what they don’t know about themselves, I can bring to the table for discussion. If there is any sort of problem, taking initiative to talk to them and help them find an outcome or solution will allow them to see beyond the limitations. I also believe that I can promote learning among children due to their environment and qualities. Once I discover their Funds of Knowledge, I can base a curriculum that can identify with locality, community and social structure, while instilling state standards. I have to take into consideration the content of the community I will be teaching. Doing a community “drive-by” is not enough. I will need to be an advocate for the community by knowing where resources are that can help families.
As a teacher, I will use background to help me become aware of how to present the information using backwards by design, incorporating the standards to help me differentiate to accommodate all needs, and learning types. I know I have no control over the curriculum, but I do have control over what to uncover based on the units and information during the pre/post assessment.
As a teacher, I will have to primarily, accept change. I am a very structured, stick-to-the-book kind of person. However, I realized that it is necessary to allow change in systems. Especially if I have to differentiate the unit or lesson to help, ALL of my students learn including ELA/ELL/SPED. It is important to me to bridge the gap, and to do so, I will need to find the importance in analyzing data and interpreting to so that instruction can become what EACH student needs to give them the success to motivate and engage in any academic environment. It will create a domino effect of the social environment and assist in construction of behavior as I have read in several texts throughout this training.
As a teacher, I will have to stand up for unfair practices, join labor unions, and continue to promote, support and speak out against unfair practices in and out of the community.
As a teacher I will take have to be willing to take risks. Being a risk-taker brings me one-step closer towards my goal, a leader of change. I can’t promote something if I don’t follow it myself. My first step is addressing the problem, and contributing a cure. Placing the issue on the “back burner” only causes unwanted tension. I find it very important to leave anything open for discussion. With discussion, I am able to sincerely listen, and do something about it. The more I listen, the better chance I have of being an advocate for better opportunities for each individual.
As a teacher, I will do my best to refine each students mind with the appropriate knowledge by developing and growing them into an important part of their community and shedding light on the bigger picture, citizens of the United States.