Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/851305
24 ADVOCATE | SUMMER 2017 ESProfessional 13 Schools, Education Advocates Sue State of Arizona 16 Delegate Assembly 33 AEA Governing Board Members L oretta Martin's dream has always been to work with children. She first began working in education in 1982, as a preschool teacher in Nogales, Arizona. She has also worked as an elementary school Special Education assistant, a Title I Math and Reading Assistant, and a high school Special Education Assistant. She has been working at her current job, as an English Language Technician at Walter Douglas Elementary in the Flowing Wells School District, since 2010. Her depth and breadth of experience demonstrates her affinity for, and ability to work with, students of all ages. Loretta is kind and caring, and is always ready to lend a helping hand or a listening ear to her students or colleagues. She goes the extra mile to ensure that her students receive the best instruction possible, and that her programs are integrated smoothly, without disrupting regular classroom instruction or special activities within the school. To do this, she needs to carefully schedule the time that her students spend with her, without infringing upon SEI instruction in reading, language, writing, and math received in the regular education classrooms. Loretta also thinks globally, reaching outside her school boundaries to help students throughout the district. For example, she volunteers to go to other sites in the district, if necessary, to assist in the administration of AZELLA tests in district schools that need extra support. Her calm, can-do attitude sets a great example for the students she teaches and the staff with whom she works. In addition to her career in education, Loretta has devoted much of her free time to volunteering with organizations that benefit children. She is a tireless advocate for public schools and their students, and is currently serving as Flowing Wells Education Association Site Representative at Walter Douglas Elementary. She also served on the Marana Education Association's legislative lobbying team, working to raise awareness of the challenges facing Arizona's public schools. Since 2013, she has been an active volunteer for Sold No More, an organization with the mission of ending child sex trafficking. She has taught Sunday school at Vision Church since 2014. Loretta has also supported various public schools by participating in parent teacher organizations. She served as secretary of the Desert Winds Elementary Site Council, and the treasurer of the Richardson Elementary PTO. She was also the treasurer of the Marana High School Band Boosters, and served as the Marana High School Marching Band Flag Coach and Choreographer from 2007-2012. In addition, she has participated in after school programs such as Skills for Success, teaching classes on Old West History and providing tutoring for students in need of extra academic support. Loretta's duties at Walter Douglas include administering AZELLA placement and reassessment tests, during which she is able to put students at ease so they can do their best work. She instructs small groups of students in grammar and writing within their regular education classrooms, giving them the skills and confidence they need to succeed alongside their peers who are already proficient in English. Loretta makes learning fun for her students through her love of history, and in particular, her interest in the historic Route 66. She has made "Route 66" the theme of her classroom, and takes her classes on virtual field trips with PowerPoint slides and 360-degree panoramas of the cities and quirky landmarks of the famous highway. In addition, she is responsible for monitoring the campus and playground before school and during lunch recess, which brings her into contact with all students at Walter Douglas. These duties require behavior management skills and the ability to establish a rapport with students, both older and younger, to make sure they are following rules and staying safe. Loretta is able to do this with grace, treating all students with dignity and respect. Flowing Wells Education Association Member Awarded AEA ESPecially for Kids Award AEA honors an exceptional education support professional with the "ESPecially for Kids" Award, which recognizes a classified employee for "extraordinary efforts on behalf of young people." n