Godwin Heights — Nereida Martinez knows what it is like to be an immigrant and how scary the new school experience can be. She experienced it firsthand as a student at Grand Rapids’ former Adelante High School after immigrating from Mexico.
“When I was in Mexico, I remember staring at the mountains and wondering what my life would be,” Martinez said. “I thank my mom for bringing us here because she could see that (life in America) would give her kids more (opportunities).”
Martinez eventually became a paraprofessional for Godwin Heights Public Schools. But after several years in the classroom, she realized she wanted to be a teacher.
Now she’s making that dream a reality thanks to the West Michigan Teacher Collaborative. A partnership between Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon ISDs and Grand Valley State University, the collaborative helps equip prospective teachers to go into and remain in a teaching profession, and also helps current teachers earn advanced degrees and qualifications.
Martinez is part of the first residency cohort for the WMTC, which is currently accepting applications for its programs through Sept. 9.
“At times, I can’t really believe I am part of the program,” she said. “It is like a surreal dream, a dream that came true.”
‘Our community needs new leaders to help inspire the new generation in a positive way.’
— Nereida Martinez
Parapro to Student Teacher
Martinez has been a paraprofessional for Godwin Heights for about 12 years, mostly working in the middle school.
“I love working with kids,” she said. “I love making the connections, helping them learn some things, meeting the families and building relationships.”
Martinez remembered receiving emails about WMTC, but it was not until other staff members mentioned they were going to a meeting about the program that she took an interest. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology, she applied for, and was accepted into, the residency program, where candidates spend the first year earning their teaching certificate and the next two years leading a class with WMTC support.
This summer she participated in the WMTC Summer Initiative, where she received intense training to develop skills in inclusion, student connection, teaching responsibilities, lesson plans and more.
Acceptance into the teaching collaborative also required a few changes to her daily job. Since her interest is in teaching at the elementary level, she has moved from the middle school to North Godwin Elementary so she can student-teach.
This year she is working with Meghan Shannon’s fifth-grade class, getting to know students and learning how Shannon’s classroom functions. This spring she will lead the classroom, and in May, she will earn her teaching certificate and be ready for her own class.
She hopes that her eventual classroom will be in Godwin Heights.
“I love working here,” she said. “The community is so welcoming. They have supported me so much and I feel that love and the support from the teachers, administrators and even the students.”
‘Breaking Barriers for our Community’
Martinez said she is grateful for the ongoing work of WMTC program leaders, who help participants secure teaching positions, and the fee-free model, which has enabled her to do the work without adding a financial burden. She said her cohort has also been very supportive, helping each other with ideas and suggestions.
Martinez also noted WMTC has the potential to make a difference in the West Michigan Hispanic community. According to MI Student Data, Hispanic students made up 20% of the 100,149 students in the Kent ISD area for the 2023-24 school year. At the same time, approximately 2% of the 8,331 teachers in the area are Hispanic.
By supporting and adding teachers from within this community, students could get the opportunity to one day have teachers who look like them and understand the challenges they face as immigrants or first-generation students, Martinez said.
“I want to encourage others, especially in my own community, to not be scared to do something like (the teacher collaborative),” she said.
What programs does WMTC offer?
The West Michigan Teacher Collaborative is currently accepting applications through September 9. Its programs include:
Pre-residency: for people with some college credits who desire to become teachers
Residency: for those with a bachelor’s degree who are seeking to earn a teaching certification
Advanced degrees and endorsements: for current educators seeking advanced degrees and graduate degrees
“We are breaking barriers for our community, our people. Our community needs new leaders to help inspire the new generation in a positive way.”
Wherever she lands, Martinez said her ultimate goal is to directly connect with students and hopefully inspire them to reach for their dreams.
“I am hoping that if they see that I did it and I talk to them about the challenges I faced and overcame, that it will help to spark their passion for their future,” she said.
“I want students and their parents to know they can achieve any dream.”
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