Ms. Martin’s attitude was always one that emphasized our personhood. Throughout high school, I was always led to believe that my stats defined my success. In Ms. Martin’s college prep coaching, though, we explored our own identity, whether that was through drafting a personal mission statement, taking personality tests, creating an “I Am” poster (which I sent a picture of in my Rice application!), or just engaging in conversations about life, values, and obstacles. She encouraged me to explore my creativity in writing poetry; she helped me find worth in the aspects of my life that I had been shown over and over again were not relevant to my success. It’s a lesson I hold dear to my heart; I’ve done it to remind myself of the importance of balance, peace, and imagination.

Ms. Martin has truly helped shape me into the person that I am today. Without her, I feel as if I wouldn’t know myself on the level that I do today. I feel as if I would still be trying to figure out who I am. Not only has she cared deeply for my mental health, but she’s also always checked up on me and asked how I was doing.  She helped me find my happiness in high school and allowed me to find myself through trial and error. When I was applying to university, Ms. Martin was incredibly encouraging, especially since I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and where I wanted to go. She was always patient with me and cared for me. Now, I am thriving at the University of Houston with a clear vision of my future, and that is in part thanks to Ms. Martin.

Ms. Martin has been an absolutely amazing and helpful person in my life. As my college prep coach from 9th to 12th grade in my high school years, she helped guide me along without forcing me down any specific paths. Through simple exercises of deeply thinking through my dreams and goals (career exploration), I was able to create a realistic plan to accomplish what I want to in life that I still look at from time to time. I honestly can’t imagine how different things would be if I didn’t have her as my coach. She gave school, career, and life advice, and I know that what she has taught me will stay with me forever. Even now, after some years have passed since graduating high school, she still remains in my life and continues to offer advice and words of wisdom. Ms. Martin is the best!

I can’t speak highly enough of Ms. Martin. She helped me identify my values and career aspirations through explorative projects. She provides the avenues for you to explore your creativity. I think the most deeply impactful project I completed under her guidance was the final college decision binder. I was able to critically analyze my college choices in a chart that I will also use in evaluating my law school choices. In this final culmination of all our work together, she emphasized the importance of finding yourself by defining your values and developing a personal statement. I am beyond grateful for having had the opportunity to have Ms. Martin teach me the value of chasing my dreams a message I remind myself of every day.