RCOE Middle Grades Major Francisco Martinez Selected for LatinxEd's 20 Under 20

Francisco Martinez, a middle grades education major in the Reich College of Education (RCOE), has been selected for LatinxEd's 20 under 20.

Based in North Carolina, LatinxEd's 20 under 20 is a competition focused on elevating Latinx youth leadership across the state, specifically those who are actively playing a role to advance the Latinx community through education. 

“This award means that I am one step closer to making a difference in the Latinx community,” said Martinez, who is from Prospect Hill, North Carolina, and has roots in Mexico. “I am so thrilled to be a leader of this program and have the opportunity for my voice to be heard by other Latinx people in the community.”

“I am so thrilled to be a leader of this program and have the opportunity for my voice to be heard by other Latinx people in the community.”

When reading the call for nominations, former assistant director of the James Center for Student Success and Advising Megan Kasper immediately knew she needed to nominate Martinez.

“Throughout the selection process and his involvement with the Appalachian Community of Education Scholars (ACES), it has been evident that Francisco is becoming a teacher to uplift his future students,” noted Kasper. “He is a leader on our campus and in the RCOE, and I am confident he will be one in the teaching profession through his desire to provide equitable educational opportunities for his students.”

Martinez chose Appalachian State University because of its highly regarded teacher education program and ACES program, which is housed in the RCOE’s James Center for Student Success and Advising.  

“The ACES Program is a community of future educators where we work together through community events and other activities to help us become outstanding educators and build connections along the way,” said Martinez. “Without ACES and App State, I would have never found some of my best friends and a community that strives for the same goal as I do.”

When asked what advice he has for students interested in the teacher education program, Martinez said, “Keep an open mind when entering the teacher education program; it is much different than what I thought when entering the program.”

For Martinez, teaching middle school is where he can make the most difference in students’ lives.

“I believe that middle school is some of the most challenging times for students, and they lack support,” he said. “I want to change that. I want to make middle school an area where students can be themselves, get a quality education, and have fun while doing so.”

Francisco Martinez
Published: Feb 8, 2022 11:58am

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