Weston Awards: Miosotty Martinez
Updated: Sep 9
This is the latest in our series spotlighting the 2026 winners of the Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching. Follow along each week to learn more about the impact these educators are making in the Montclair Public Schools.
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At Montclair High School, Spanish teacher Miosotty Martinez is known for her humor and big heart, an educator who focuses on academic growth and student well-being in equal measure.
In nomination letters for the 2026 Weston Award, Ms. Martinez was praised for creating spaces where students feel safe and welcome, opening up her classroom to students at lunch or outside of class to hang out. Her classroom is a place where students feel seen, valued, and motivated to achieve their personal best.
“I go almost every day. I really appreciate it,” one student said.
Another student, who was in Ms. Martinez’s class as a freshman shared this: “I still visit her weekly, even as a junior, whether it is during my club meetings, seeking advice, or just talking about my daily life with her. She has been a big part of my life, as she has even offered to help out as my sponsor for a scholarship award application and guided me through the whole process.”
And another student said: “After I moved from my home country, I was nervous and scared to talk with other [students], but because of Mrs. Martinez I stopped feeling nervous, and we started to bond over small things, and she had genuine interest to learn about things from my home country. I'm glad to have a teacher like her.”
Beyond that sense of belonging, Ms. Martinez is known for making her classes feel “entertaining,” “interactive,” and “meaningful,” through activities that highlight Latino culture. She works to fund class trips, offers small-group instruction, conferences one-on-one with students who need extra support, and takes it slow introducing new concepts.
One student put it like this: “She is a great teacher… and she always brightens my mood when I enter the classroom.”
For creating an inclusive, engaging learning environment while consistently going above and beyond to support, mentor, and empower your students both academically and personally, the Montclair community is honored to call Ms. Martinez an inspired teacher. Congratulations.
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