Name: Lorie Martinez

School: Wheaton North

Subject (s): Special Education mostly English

Grade (s): 9-12

Bio: Martinez is the head of student council which has more than 300 students. They meet every Tuesday morning and are in charge of all of the dances. "It's almost equal to my teaching job in terms of time invested," Martinez said. "It's nice to work with students that are very interested and devoted to the school and its success."

 Wheaton Patch: What inspires you to work with children?

Lorie Martinez:  Really enjoy being with kids and I was hoping I could make their lives little bit better. They're just so interesting and their outlook on life is so different.

WP:  What is your favorite hobby?

LM: Being there for my kids. I like to read in the summer and hang out with friends.

 WP: What was your favorite vacation?

LM: One of my trips to Europe. I really liked Ireland; it was a group of teachers went for a long weekend. I love the country and the people.  We went to Dublin; we went a little bit out of the country but mostly Dublin.

 WP: Where did you go to college? Degree?

LM: I went Southern Illinois University Carbondale I had double major in special education and elementary education and a minor psychology and music. I got my masters through National College of Education in special education. I've got 60 hours beyond that which is variety of education courses.

WP:  Who is your role model? Why?

LM: Until her recent dismissal of the public education system Oprah was my absolute idol; her support of an organization that completely defies the school system it both saddening and shameful.

WP:  What is your favorite food? Restaurant?

LM: Flattop, I like the stir fry and the buffet. It's really good.

WP: What is your favorite music?

LM: I like everything except country.

 WP: Who is your favorite historical figure and why?

LM: Jaclyn Onassis Kennedy, I love her clothes and her style.

 WP: When did you get your first cell phone? What was it?

LM: It was a mobile phone not really a cell phone. I got it in the 80's.

 WP: Do you have siblings? Tell me about your family.

LM: I have two brothers and a sister.  I have a husband and three kids. I have a son who's 23, a son who's 19 and daughter who's 15.

WP:  What is your favorite holiday? Why?

LM: Easter, I like the weather. It starts to get nice. It is the beginning of new life and its time to look forward to things like summer and sun.

WP:  Did you play sports or do any extra-curricular activities in school?

LM: I played softball and volleyball.  I was in student council.

WP:  If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

LM: Australia, supposed the nicest people in the world. It seems like it would be so different than here.

 WP: What is your favorite board game?

LM: I like card games and dominoes.  I like little kids games, Apples to Apples and I don't even mind Candy Land.

 WP: Coke or Pepsi? Or coffee? Tea?

LM: Coffee and water that's it.

 WP: What would you do with $1,000,000?

LM: Use it for my kids' college, that's probably what it's going to cost that by the time they're all done.

WP:  Do you have any pets?     

LM: No, but I would like a soft coated wheaten terrier. I'm going to get one in a year or so.

WP: How long have you been teaching at your current school?

LM: I have been here 26 years. I have been teaching for 33 years.

WP: What was your best birthday memory?

LM: Every year was great being a kid; my mom made homemade cakes. It was very elaborate and I would always have the best cake possible.