From stepping into the magical world of “Harry Potter,” to feeling the thrill of watching the seventy-fourth “Hunger Games,” English 10 Honors and English 11 teacher Cameron Martin’s room is a place where stories come to life. While Martin encourages these exciting adventures, his top priority is to create a safe learning environment in the classroom.
“I really want them to feel safe,” Martin said. “When you come into my room, I want you to want to be here and know you are wanted here.”
Martin aims to make his students feel comfortable through simple acts, like keeping blankets out on chilly days. He encourages his students to make mistakes and dive into the challenges they face. Along the same lines, Martin and his husband enjoy scuba diving around the world. Trained as a certified scuba diver in San Diego, Martin enjoys adventures to Hawaii and Japan to explore colorful underwater kingdoms.
Much like diving, teaching requires practice and dedication. Martin has been teaching in SDUHSD for eight years, most recently coming to the school this year. Prior to his employment within the district, he was on special assignment at La Costa Canyon High School, stepping out of his classroom to help English teachers order books and provided guidance to other english teachers. He was also an assistant speech and debate coach at Helix Charter High School from 2012 to 2017 and at Mount Miguel High School from 2016 to 2017. Speech and debate holds a special place in his heart, in part because of his coach, and by extension mentor, during high school.
“He took me under his wing,” Martin said.. “He was like, [how] you are is [O.K].’”
After his special assignment at LCC, Martin was able to pick any school in the district.
“I felt really lucky that I got to come here because I always heard really great things about Torrey, especially [the] rigor and culture here,” Martin said.
Martin’s teaching journey began when he received his bachelor in communications at University of California San Diego in June of 2006.
“My love for teaching comes from [knowing] how people communicate with each other … [and] why we treat each other the way we do,” Martin said.
After receiving his bachelor’s from UCSD, Martin received his teaching credential in English and Language Arts, and a Master of Education in June 2017 from UCSD.
Martin’s favorite part of teaching is witnessing the moment when concepts click for students, transforming their uncertainty into confidence. He wants his students to learn through that shift in understanding and encourages them to have fun even while pushing themselves.
While reading a book or stepping into a classroom for the first time can feel intimidating, in the end, it is all one big adventure, and Martin will be there for his students every step of the way.
“I feel like it’s one thing to make my students feel safe in here, [but it is also] wonderful that I have students who want the same thing [for] me,” Martin said.
