City Year Los Angeles Teacher Spotlight
City Year AmeriCorps members work side–by–side in collaboration with their partner teachersÌýto fully support theirÌý91¶¶Òõ in the classroom. We are proud to partner withÌývisionaryÌýteachersÌýwhoÌýcontinue to inspire and lead the future leaders of tomorrow.
The City Year Los Angeles Teacher Spotlight is designed to highlight teachers in our partner schools. Below is our conversation with Mr. Martinez-Cruz, a teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School.
Name:ÌýMr. Martinez-CruzÌý
Hometown: Brooklyn Heights, NY
Years teaching: 36 years, and 27 years at Thomas Jefferson High SchoolÌý
What is your favorite part of teaching?Ìý
“My favorite part of teaching is the kids, the frustrations, the successes, the ‘a–ha’ moments when they realizeÌý‘I can do this.’â¶ÄÌý
As an educator in LAUSD, how do you hope toÌýinspireÌýyour 91¶¶Òõ?Ìý
“I hope to inspire 91¶¶Òõ by being there for themÌýeveryÌýdayÌýand showing them that theyÌýare capable of doingÌýgreat things. IÌýwantÌýmy 91¶¶Òõ to know that they are capable of being successful no matter what other people thinkÌýof them.â€ÌýÌý
How has City Year helped build a positive school culture andÌýclimate?Ìý
“City Year helps 91¶¶Òõ feel more confident in themselves. AmeriCorps membersÌýin the classroom remind 91¶¶Òõ that they have people that care about them and that they belong. City Year really cares about 91¶¶Òõ and treats them with the respect they should be treated with.Ìý“Ìý
How has City Year helped you in the classroom?Ìý
“City Year is a resource that 91¶¶Òõ can tap into when they are having difficulties.ÌýStudents can have one–on–one support to learn new and different strategies to solve problems. Even though each AmeriCorps member has a focus list of 91¶¶Òõ, they still make themselves available toÌýhelp everyone that asks for help.â€Ìý
Related stories
Fourteen years ago, Charly Sanchez sat in an elementary school classroom, feeling lost and unseen—until a City Year AmeriCorps member...
Read more about Reflecting on a Year of Service: Charly SanchezOn June 12, 2025, we proudly graduated our 2024–2025 AmeriCorps class, marking the close of City Year Los Angeles’ 18th...
Read more about Celebrating a Year of Unshakable Service: City Year Los Angeles Graduation 2025Serving on the board of an organization like City Year Los Angeles is more than attending meetings and fundraising –...
Read more about An Inside Look into Board Service with City Year Los Angeles Board Chair Glenn GritznerYou’ve seen him in press rooms interviewing Hollywood’s biggest stars and blind-reacting to the latest Marvel announcements—but now, City Year...
Read more about From the Red Carpet to the Classroom: Celebrity Correspondent Juju Green Visits Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary for a Day with City Year Los Angeles
