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I spent the first five years of my
life in a bilingual home in Houston, Texas. During these years, I
began learning ballet and gymnastics and became a big sister. At
the age of five we moved and I spent the next five years in Cedar
Rapids, Iowa. I continued my studies of ballet and gymnastics.
Over the years, I performed in the Nutcracker as a mouse, party
girl and clown. I had a passion for dance, but I also enjoyed the
challenge of gymnastics. My most interesting memory was attending
a competition that was held in a barn. Transitioning from the
city to the country took some time, but acclimating to school did
not. I still can remember each of my teachers' names, what the
school and grounds look like, and names of kids with whom I went
to school. I began first grade as the youngest, the smallest, and
one of two dark haired children in my class. My first grade
teacher told my mother that I completed his daisy. His name is
Mr. North and I remember how he would juggle apples and take
bites out of the apples as he juggled. I loved school! I believe
it was these memories that inspired me to teach.
At the age of ten we moved to Orlando, Florida to help my
grandmother take care of my grandfather, who was dying of cancer.
At the age of thirteen he passed away. This experience was
painful and sad, but provided me a perspective I would use with
future students. When I entered high school I began swimming
competitively and ended my years of dancing. I graduated from a
small school similar to Carolina Day and ventured out-of-state to
attend Mount Holyoke College. The rigorous curriculum and the
self-discipline I learned from swimming provided a good
foundation for my college experience.
The winters in Massachusetts were far different from those in
tropical Florida. Swim season was in the winter and I learned to
layer, drink coffee and sit by the fire. I began my studies with
a focus in pre-med., but by my junior year I was yearning to live
outside the lab. For four years I worked at the campus daycare
center with children aged 0-6 years. I was fortunate enough to
help write the lesson plans for the pre-school program. My years
at Mt Holyoke were unique in other ways too. I made friends with
women from all around the world, studied everything from child
development to Middle Eastern history, served on the Student
Government and served as captain of our swim team. The summer
before my senior year, I lived in Trier, Germany and had the
opportunity to stay in East Berlin for one week. On the day I
arrived, my host found out that her best friend had been part of
the Stasi, The German Secret Police. I graduated in four years
with a major in German Literature and a minor in Psychology with
new perspectives and opinions that would assist my entrance into
the "real world."
I began my career working in a law-firm with intentions of
attending law school and practicing international law. I also
worked as a swim instructor, which I had done the last several
years with the college swim team. However, a voice inside
reminded me how much I enjoyed children and I was off to complete
a teaching certificate. I attained a secondary education
certificate to teach German, not a popular language in Central
Florida, from Rollins College. After some work with emotionally
handicapped and trainable mentally handicapped high school
students, I obtained a position with the same school teaching
Spanish and German. At the close of that year I realized I was in
the wrong division. I was off again.
I spent the next year in Atlanta. I was afforded an opportunity
to work with third and fourth grade students at Christ the King
School. I knew this was the age for me! In the summer of 1999, I
moved to Asheville to work at Carolina Day School. I began my
work with Summer Discovery. I moved on to assist Genevieve
Fortuna in the PK and in 2000 I became the third grade teacher. I
have been working on my elementary certification through Mars
Hill College. For the last three years I served as one of the
leaders for Brownies/Girl scouts. This past year I became the
head coach for our brand new winter sport: swimming! I also
became the chair for the North Carolina Association of
Independent Schools Teacher Services Committee, and serve on the
Asheville Arts Teacher Committee. I enjoy my busy life and all my
commitments, but I have made time to enjoy the wonderful gifts of
Asheville, as well as visit my parents and four siblings who live
around the states.
You can reach me by e-mail at: nmarentez@cdschool.org
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