By Ryan Spoehr
Staff writer
Rosalinda Martinez has worked for the Whitewater Unified School District for several years building a family-like environment for students and parents. Now she is being recognized for her years of work as an English-language learner instructor at Whitewater Middle School. She is one of two Whitewater United School District teachers to be named a Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Teacher Fellow for 2017.
“I am very grateful and humbled for this,” Martinez said, adding that she is still processing receiving the honor. “Kids have been making me posters and bringing me flowers. I’m just in awe and taking it in.”
Martinez teaches the English language to her students and is a liaison for parents and students. She spends a lot of time working outside of school, but she is based at the middle school, teaching students in grades six through eight.
“My philosophy in education is one encompassed by my belief that every single one of my students has great potential to succeed in and out of the classroom,” Martinez said. “I am here to serve as a mentor to help guide them and discover that success through learning and meaningful teaching experiences.”
Martinez believes establishing positive working relationships between her and her students, and students’ parents is key to her job.
“I care about them and I want them to care about their education,” Martinez said. “My role is as a Hispanic liaison. My role is to be an advocate for students and families, and I take that seriously.
“If it weren’t for my families and my students, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I am very thankful for them.”
As a teacher, she teaches sixth-grade math with another colleague and eighth-grade Spanish for native speakers, among other duties.
The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation issued a press release on March 15 announcing who is being recognized.
According to the press release, fellowship recipients are educators who have shown a superior ability to inspire a love of learning in their students, an ability to motivate others and leadership and service in and out of the classroom.
John Schimming, a social studies and math teacher in the district was also named as a fellow, and student Mitchell Dalzin was named as a scholar.
Middle School Principal Tanya Wojciechowicz reported to the School Board on March 27 and recognized both Martinez and Schimming for being given this recognition
“I don’t know if the board realizes the rarity it is to have even one scholar, but to be bestowed an honor of having two in your district and two in your building in one year is completely unheard of,” Wojciechowicz said. “If you knew this two, you know why. Their reputation precedes them, and this is what they deserve.”
Wojciechowicz continued her praise for both individuals in separate portions of her report, including for Martinez.
“If you’ve had the chance to ever talk with Rosie, there’s a good chance you left that conversation with a smile on your face,” Wojciechowicz said. “She truly embodies this idea of what it means to be family. People leave feeling more connected because of her.
“She is culturally responsive. She really is someone who works with students to make sure everyone has an equal access and opportunity, whether that is accomodations in the classroom or making sure students get to school. Last year, Rosie personally one of our students, whose family was in crisis in crisis and trauma, to school every single day because that’s the kind of person she is.”
Whitewater is a part of CESA 2 in the state for school districts, which is the south-central region of the state. Schimming, Martinez and Dalzin will be honored at a banquet with other fellows and scholars of CESA 2 and 3 at Middleton High School on April 29.
Kohl established the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Scholarship and Fellowship program in 1990. Since, the foundation has awarded $11.5 million to Wisconsin educators, principals, students and schools.
“Education is the key to the future of Wisconsin and our nation,” Kohl said in the press release. “I am very proud of the accomplishments of these students, teachers and principals, and look forward to the great contributions they will make in the future.”
Letters notifying recipients of the award were mailed by the foundation on March 11. Kohl is scheduled to attend all the luncheons honoring award recipients, according to the press release.
