When new science teacher Arielle Martinka first joined SCHS, she student-taught biology virtually during the 2020-2021 school year. Now, Martinka is enthusiastic to join the campus as a new Biology and Marine Biology teacher.
Being a student teacher over distance learning was no easy task, yet Martinka continued to prioritize patience and support in her virtual classroom. Returning to SCHS in-person, she finds that distance learning prepared her to be an even more understanding teacher.
“With distance learning and students having technical difficulties, it helped me hone these skills of patience because I had to be even more patient than I am today,” Martinka said. “Distance learning was really helpful in order for me to build these skills.”
After student teaching at SCHS for a year, Martinka taught biology at Mountain View High School. Coming back to SCHS, she is eager to continue to teach Biology, in addition to Marine Biology, a passion of hers.
When attending Homestead High School as a student, Martinka took AP Biology as a junior, where she found her passion for biology. When studying with her friends, she took on a leadership role in her study groups because of her interest in the subject. She later majored in Aquatic Biology at the University of California Santa Barbara, and earned her teaching credential at Santa Clara University.
“Finding out that I really liked biology in high school and wanting to be challenged was really pivotal, so when I got to college, I was taking a lot of biology classes to find what I really connected with, which was ecology, evolution and aquatic bio,” Martinka said.
Beyond the classroom, Martinka is grateful to join the rest of the science teachers again. She values that the science department is incredibly welcoming and connected.
“There’s good students in a lot of places, but I was really happy to join the science department here again,” Martinka said. “The science teachers have lunch in this room, and it’s this warm community. Knowing that there’s people to talk to is really supportive.”
Going into the 2023-2024 school year, Martinka is optimistic for what is to come and aspires to lead with patience and understanding.
“Patience is so important,” Martinka said. “I can say something eight times, and I’ll say it again another eight times. Doing so with happiness and kindness takes a lot of energy, but trying to show that is what helps build a relationship.”