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KILLBUCK SAVINGS BANK CO. SUPERSTAR ON STAFF: Sara Martin

Sara Martin,
Dalton Middle 5th grade math and social studies

Reason for selection: Mrs. Martin is a superstar in the classroom with all she does at Dalton Middle School. Students thoroughly enjoy going to her class and engaging in lessons. She also plays a big role as our student council advisor and the activities she provides.

1. What do you love about working at Dalton Local Schools? 
What I love about working at Dalton Local Schools is the focus on family, community, and the importance that is placed on basic virtues such as charity and kindness. There is not a day that goes by that I am not thankful for where I landed at Dalton Middle School. This wonderful district gave me a chance 16 years ago and in that time, I have met so many amazing students, parents, educators, and many great lifelong friends. I feel extremely fortunate and blessed to have had the opportunity to teach young students not only many quirky math methods, but also life lessons and skills.

2. How did you get to where you are today?
The story of how I got to where I am today is not a direct pathway into the world of education. Although my mother was an elementary educator for 30 years and my sister also took that path into middle school education, I began my career in the business world. I started by getting a Business/Marketing Bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University after high school and later in my life I returned to school to get a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in secondary math education from The University of Akron.

I have always enjoyed working with money at several jobs during my youth. I began working at the Orr Park concession stand in 7th grade, then moved on to Dairy Queen in my teenage years, and finally settled after college at the First National Bank, where I did every job in the place until I ended in the mortgage/commercial loan department. I loved being a banker because it gave me many life skills that I use everyday. These skills would include how to balance my checkbook, how to manage my money and debt, how to calculate interest rates and make decisions on loans and other financial issues. I also got to meet many different people and build lifelong relationships with so many people in different communities. While I was at the bank, I got married to Rex Martin and we had two daughters named Macey and Nicole.

During my time at the bank, I would go into classrooms to teach Junior Achievement to elementary school students. This is when I found out how comfortable I felt in the classroom. Although I didn’t really think much of it at the time, God had a different plan for my life and guided me into the world of adolescent students. It is the best decision I have ever made and I feel like I am right where I am supposed to be. I love being with the students and staff each day and I try to make a difference in their lives.

In addition to teaching sixth grade math and social studies, I am also the Student Council advisor and Yearbook advisor. These jobs give me the opportunity to build stronger relationships and interact with all students in the building. I really enjoy working with the students and I believe that leadership is a very important quality to instill at this level, since it is the first time that many of them learn what student government is all about. Student Council also offers many opportunities for the student body to experience fun activities and learn many life skills.

I enjoy coordinating many yearly activities and events for DMS, such as field trips, fundraisers, dances, outdoor education, yearbook creation, school events, and many more.

This is my 16th year of teaching; all of those include middle school math. With my banking background and love of numbers, I am very passionate about the subject I teach.

I love it the most when the older students still remember some of my math tricks from 6th grade. My students inspire me each day to continue giving my best effort to make a difference. Although I have been hired to teach math, I appreciate having the daily opportunity to reinforce their self-esteem, confidence and social skills and to remind them how much they matter.

Many thanks to Dalton Local Schools for allowing me to work in this amazing district as it has been the most rewarding experience anyone could ever ask for. Go Bulldogs!

3. Tell us one interesting little fact about yourself that people would be surprised to hear.

I was a dancer on the Ohio State Buckeyes dance team when I was in college.

 

2 Comments

  1. Barb Beeching on January 20, 2022 at 3:37 pm

    I am not one bit surprised how successful you are. Watched you grow up and graduate and you have always been at the top of your game Wishing you many more years of excellent teaching and doing good works. THE BEST TO YOU (BTW i am a Bulldog too but still a Red Rider deep down

    • Sara Martin on January 21, 2022 at 7:45 pm

      Hi Barb, So great to hear from you! You and your family were such a huge part of my life. Those were definitely the good old days! Thank you for your kind words and well wishes. I can’t express how much that means to me. Tell Ty I said hello and wishing you all the best! 💕

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