Hola! My name is Esthela Marquez, and I am a 5th-year student studying mathematics education and French. I grew up in Canal Winchester, a suburb outside of Columbus, Ohio. Naturally for this reason, I have always been a proud Buckeye at heart! As a native Spanish speaker, I spent the first eight years of grade school in ESL classes, working hard to overcome language barriers. Thanks to the incredible support of my teachers, who saw the potential in me and encouraged me to believe in my capabilities, I gained a confidence in the classroom to succeed academically and beyond. These experiences have positively influenced my decision to pursue teaching. I have realized educators have the ability to greatly impact and empower students. My journey has shown me the transformative impact of education and I hope to inspire my future students in the same way as my teachers did.
Her efforts for diversity, equity, and inclusion:
As part of my commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, I pursued a French major to better support the community of students, whose first language is not English. This past summer I had the opportunity to study abroad in Europe which enriched my understanding of different cultures, perspectives, and languages. My goal is to keep learning about a variety of backgrounds to help my students feel seen and supported, both in their personal journeys and in the context of mathematics. In my teaching placement at Pickerington High School Central, I actively use Spanish and English to communicate with students and create an inclusive learning environment. These experiences have reinforced my dedication to having all students, regardless of their roots, find a place here in our community and in my classroom.
