Meet Cohort 9 of the Martinez Fellowship!

Marquia Montiero 

ATTENDS:
University of Washington (Seattle)

PROGRAM:
Elementary Teacher Education Program (ELTEP)

ENDORSEMENTS:
Spanish and English Language Learning (ELL)

WANTS TO TEACH:
ELL, 3rd Grade

BIO:
I was born and raised in Sacramento, CA. I received my bachelor’s degree from CSU-Sacramento. I enjoy traveling abroad and learning about new cultures. My hobbies are singing and reading. I am new to Seattle, WA area and I’m excited to learn about the area.

My sister and my nephews motivate me to teach. My sister is 17 years older than me and I’ve watched her pursue her education as a single mom. She became a SPED teacher and has been my motivation to teach and advocate for young boys of color.

HOBBIES:
Singing, reading, riding my bike, and traveling.

Elizabeth Lee 

ATTENDS:
University of Washington (Seattle)

PROGRAM:
Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP)

ENDORSEMENTS:
Japanese

BIO:
I went to Whitman College and Doshisha University. I taught English in the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program for the years, which cemented my brick road to teaching.

My experiences and my observations of students of color going to school to hide their cultures. I want to teach and show students that education should liberate, not oppress.

HOBBIES:
Japan-America Society of the State of Washington, acting and reading sci-fi/fantasy.

Safia Nur 

ATTENDS:
University of Washington (Seattle)

PROGRAM:
Elementary Teacher Education Program (ELTEP)

ENDORSEMENTS:
Elementary Education and English Language Learning (ELL)

WANTS TO TEACH:
Kindergarten and 2nd Grade

BIO:
I am a Muslim woman from Kenya. I am also a Somali that has never seen Somalia.

My motivation to teach comes from the love I have for students from all backgrounds. My motivation is equity for all students.

Jennifer Yi

ATTENDS:
University of Washington (Seattle)

PROGRAM:
Elementary Teacher Education Program (ELTEP)

ENDORSEMENTS:
Elementary Education and English Language Learning (ELL)

WANTS TO TEACH:
5th Grade

BIO:
I grew up moving around the east coast before finally settling in Washington for high school and college. I attended UW-Seattle and had the opportunity to live in Hawaii for a year after graduating. But Washington will always be my home!

I’ve always enjoyed working with students because each person’s mind is so unique and thinks in ways I might not have imagined. It’s great to think I can help guide students and build relationships with so many students. Seeing students excited to learn gets me motivated.

HOBBIES:
I enjoy hiking, reading, and playing golf. I’m very into music and movies. I love grabbing some snacks and watching a good movie or playing board games with friends.

Ji-Hea  Shin

ATTENDS:
University of Washington (Seattle)

PROGRAM:
Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP)

ENDORSEMENTS:
Secondary Biology, Chemistry and English Language Learning (ELL)

WANTS TO TEACH:
High School

BIO:
Graduated in 2016 from UW, Seattle with a BS in Biology (general sciences). Born and raised in Lakewood, WA to two really cool Korean immigrants- now citizens- who are some of the sacrificial, loving humans I know. I love Jesus, food, and sports!

Throughout high school and college tutoring or mentoring students has always been volunteer work that I’ve done. From those experiences, I saw both the really rewarding moments and witnessed some pretty unfortunate classroom instances which made me want to be a teacher. Additionally, the social justice coursework from the Education, Learning, and Societies minor at UW opened my eyes to the injustices in the education system, that has become a large motivation for why I want to teach.

HOBBIES:
Sports (volleyball, tennis, running, golf), member of Marketplace church in Bellevue, love music (singing, listening, playing), and cooking/baking.

Olivia Eirene Luna

ATTENDS:
University of Washington (Seattle)

PROGRAM:
Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP)

ENDORSEMENTS:
Social Studies

WANTS TO TEACH:
11th & 12th Grades

BIO:
I grew up in Placerville, CA and moved to WA in 2008. I graduated from UC Berkeley in 2008 with a BA in History and Anthropology and from Yale Law School in 2017. I have one older brother and two younger sisters and am nearing a decade of marriage. I worked in Japan for one year on the JET Programme.

“Pejenme decirles, a riesgo de parecer ridiculo, que el revolucionario verdadero esta griado por grandes sentimientos de amor.” – Che Guevara

HOBBIES:
I read A LOT and love video games.

Chandawin Srey

ATTENDS:
The Evergreen State College

PROGRAM:
Master in Teaching

ENDORSEMENTS:
Middle-Level Math

WANTS TO TEACH:
6th-8th Grade

BIO:
My background consists of being a father. I’m also committed to being a life-long learner. I also love anime and cartoons.

What pushes me to become a teacher is being there for a student that’s hungry to learn. As I have seen students of color become marginalized by the dominant narrative so I feel compelled to be in the class to disrupt it’s inequitable nature. There are students out there that want a teacher to be real and honest, and that’s why I want to be in the class.

HOBBIES:
Hiking, camping and relaxing.

Chaeweon Seo

ATTENDS:
Seattle Pacific University

PROGRAM:
Master in Education, Master in Teaching Math and Science (MTMS)

ENDORSEMENTS:
Biology

WANTS TO TEACH:
High School

BIO:
I am from Mill Creek, WA and I can’t wait to be an educator. I want to share my love of science with my students. My passion is to share my knowledge with students. I believe it is important to provide a strong educational background to the future generations, and that’s where teachers come in play!

HOBBIES:
In my spare time, I enjoy doing calligraphy! I love trying new foods and learning about different cultures and traditions.

Claire Engelhard

ATTENDS:
Seattle University

PROGRAM:
Master in Education, Master in Teaching Math and Science (MTMS)

ENDORSEMENTS:
Elementary Education

WANTS TO TEACH:
Kindergarten-2nd Grade

BIO:
I grew up on Vashon Island with my adopted parents who are both caucasian and my twin sister. I attended Eckerd College in Florida where I received my BA in Anthropology and Spanish. I’ve played the cello since I was four and was an avid dancer for 20 years.

I’m motivated and passionate about teaching in a high needs school. I grew up in a wealthy area without much diversity and have always felt really lucky for my life circumstances. I want to give back. Also, my mom is a huge inspiration for teaching. She’s a private music teacher and taught me the cello. I want to create relationships with my students like she has.

HOBBIES:
I love cello and playing with an orchestra or small group. I love music and poetry. I used to dance a lot but don’t as much anymore. I love to go hiking and really enjoy trying new food! I’m an adoptee volunteer with my adoption agency. It feels great to give back to that community.

Deborah Cabanos

ATTENDS:
Pacific Lutheran University

PROGRAM:
Master in Education

ENDORSEMENTS:
Elementary Education and English Language Learning (ELL)

WANTS TO TEACH:
2nd Grade

BIO:
I moved to Washington from the Philippines when I was four years old. I graduated from Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) in 2016 with a B.S. in Psychology. During my gap year, I nannied and coached gymnastics. I have coached for three years now and my passion for coaching ultimately lead me to pursue teaching.

I attended college with the mindset of pursuing law because I saw many injustices within our legal system. However, I have always been passionate about working with kids. My senior year of college, I decided that teaching and inspiring the next generation was my calling. I want to be a positive role model to students.

HOBBIES:
Coaching at the Lakewood Family YMCA, sports and anything involving competition. Also, reading, shopping, and eating.

Cristina Hakansson

ATTENDS:
Pacific Lutheran University

PROGRAM:
Master in Education

ENDORSEMENTS:
Elementary Education and English Language Learning (ELL)

WANTS TO TEACH:
3rd-5th Grade

BIO:
I am originally from California, came to Washington stage because of the Navy (my husband). I’ve worked for both the profit and non-profit world. I’m a mom of three and a graduate of UW-proud Husky.

I am really inspired by the teaching and learning that takes place inside the classroom. This is what I like to refer to as “magic”. Kids motivate me to be a better person and I firmly believe that we learn much more from them than they learn from us.

HOBBIES:
I enjoy coaching youth sports, doing yoga and practicing mindfulness. I also enjoy giving back to my local community through volunteering opportunities.

Violeta Paredes

ATTENDS:
Seattle University

PROGRAM:
Master in Education (Spring)

ENDORSEMENTS:
History and English Language Learning (ELL)

WANTS TO TEACH:
6th-8th Grade

BIO:
I grew up along the west coast, moving all up and down from Mount Lake Terrace to Tacoma. I came from an immigrant family from El Salvador. Currently, I am enjoying the quiet nature life outside the city in Bellingham.

Experiences with both good and bad teachers have made me want to be a teacher. Mostly, working in my own community has made me want to be a teacher. I love being able to connect and help people, which is what I find teaching brings me.

HOBBIES:
I enjoy arts and crafts (painting, drawing, crochet, etc.) and I love to play video games and watch movies in my spare time. I really enjoy low-key activities and events.

Ariana Y. Ramirez Alvaredo

ATTENDS:
University of Washington (Seattle)

PROGRAM:
Secondary Teacher Educator Program (STEP)

ENDORSEMENTS:
Spanish and English Language Learning (ELL)

WANTS TO TEACH:
9th-12th Grade

BIO:
I identify strongly as Mexicana. I am very proud of my heritage and my native tongue which many tried to strip me of growing up. I experience a lot of micro-aggressions and received many messages of oppression when I was in school, but I found my way to people who showed me that value of my different identity components and hope to do the same for my students when I’m a teacher.

I want to be a teacher because I believe in education for all and I recognize that the public school system still does not value the experiences, cultures, and ways of life of every student. I never had a teacher of color in my K-12 education so I want to be a familiar face for students of color. I’ve heard the expression,”I don’t every student should go to college, but I do believe that every student should have the choice” and I completely agree.

HOBBIES:
Love language and linguistics! I am a food lover. I listen to music practically 24/7 I am completely committed to social justice!