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Parents Feel Blessed She’s Teaching Their Children

Once she noticed a hand callous and helped change one girl’s education

By Juan DeJesus

Taking the time to talk to a parent can make a huge difference. For 4th-grade teacher Denise Martinez, she makes that difference every day.

Martinez, 33, has lived and breathed teaching for as long as she can remember—especially since her mother is a teacher at another Catholic school.

“I grew up around teachers and I grew up in that environment where theory and techniques were discussed,” said Martinez.

Even the journey she took to become a teacher at the Blessed Sacrament School in the Bronx was meant to be. Martinez’s former grammar school teacher is the principal at the school. So when the suggestion came to give the school a call to inquire for a position—it was only natural.

The eight-year veteran teacher has been there ever since. This year, Martinez is seeing her first set of students graduate.

“I remember when they were babies. Now they are young men and women going to high school,” said Martinez.

But for parents at Blessed Sacrament it is her approach to students that sets her apart.

“Her sensitive approach to children with special needs and the reassurance that she embeds in the students is amazing,” said Elizabeth Pineda, whose daughter took classes with Martinez.

Pineda describes Martinez as caring and very understanding, as well as determined to give students as much help as needed.

She first met Martinez during her daughter’s Individualized Education Program, a mandated plan of action for children who require a little extra help with schoolwork or therapy.

“It was her keen senses and observation skills that I first noticed in Ms. Martinez,” said Pineda.

Martinez advised the parent and guided her through the process. The teacher even helped Pineda avoid exhausting her medical insurance.

But it was when Martinez noticed a callous on her daughter’s hand that she really made a difference.

Martinez saw the child’s need for occupational therapy. After the evaluation, it was revealed that Pineda’s daughter has low-tone muscles in her hand, which tire easily. The teacher made every effort to sit next to Pineda’s daughter and take notes for her when the girl’s hand tired.

Martinez arrives at the school early, making herself available to students for any extra help they may need. She is also known for her ability to speak to the parents in a caring and compassionate way about issues concerning their children. She fosters an environment of learning through cooperation and participation in all aspects of her students’ lives.

Parents notice this caring nature, especially Pineda, whose only regret is that her son is transferring so he will not get to learn from the woman who empowered her daughter and let her succeed at life.

“I never thought that I made that much of a difference. I know that I made a difference in their daily lives. But it’s a great feeling to know that when a child leaves a class they still have me in their hearts,” said Martinez.

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Denise Martinez
Blessed Sacrament School
1160 Beach Ave., Bronx