LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Magdalena Martinez was nominated anonymously. 

Mrs. Martinez is an inspiration to everybody who has the opportunity to meet her! She came to the United States as a young woman, not knowing English, and left the start of her college education behind to join her family. She taught herself English by watching movies with subtitles and reading the dictionary. After having two kids and being pregnant with her third, she decided to fulfill her dream of going to college. She graduated with a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education and then started her teaching career.

As a teacher, she has touched so many lives, and her students and families love her. She is an example to them and an inspiration to all who surround her. She is hardworking, passionate about education, motivating, and loves all the students who come to her classroom every year. She started as a teacher's assistant in college. She still has students and families who have kept in contact with her through the years. She has been in education for 18 years and now holds a Master's Degree in Bilingual Education. 

Throughout her school career, she has worked hard to help all students in her classroom succeed. She even temporarily cared for two students as a foster parent because she could not fathom doing nothing to help. She has bought clothing, snacks, materials, groceries, etc to help families and students in need.

"She encouraged me to obtain my High School Diploma, and I did! She is an inspiration and a person who deserves recognition," said the nominator.