Nathan Martinez didn’t plan on becoming a teacher, but a moment helping students with math changed everything.

Before stepping into the classroom at South Lake High School, Nathan spent seven years working as a manager in the restaurant industry. He thrived in the fast-paced environment and the daily challenges that came with it, but something always felt incomplete.

“My favorite part of the job was meeting new employees, learning about their goals and passions, and helping them grow,” Nathan says.

That passion became clear one day in a break room when a few of his high school-aged employees were struggling with math homework. Even though it had been years since he had studied the material, Nathan stepped in to help.

“The information all came flooding back,” he says. “I was able to help them prepare for and pass their upcoming test.”

What started as a one-time moment quickly became routine. Informal study sessions turned into something he looked forward to more than anything else in his workday and ultimately, a realization that his true passion had always been education.

With encouragement from his husband, Nathan made the decision to leave management and pursue teaching, a move he now calls one of the most rewarding decisions of his life.

Now nearly four years into his teaching career, Nathan leads a 10th grade geometry classroom where the focus goes far beyond formulas and equations. He intentionally chose high school students, recognizing the unique challenges they face during a critical time in their lives.

“Teenagers are constantly faced with choices that can shape their futures,” Nathan says. “If I can help them see that life truly does get better, and that a single grade in math is not the end of the world, then I’ve made a meaningful difference.”

That perspective shapes how he approaches teaching. Nathan works to create an environment where students feel supported, challenged and confident in their abilities—especially when they’re struggling.

“They always seem to surprise themselves,” he says. “My classroom is full of students suddenly saying, ‘Oh!’ or ‘Wow, I actually got it right!’ Those moments when a concept finally clicks—that’s what I love the most.”

His teaching style also stands out for its creativity. Nathan designs immersive, story-driven “escape room” lessons that turn traditional math problems into interactive challenges. Students might find themselves solving geometry concepts while measuring gold for a pirate adventure or navigating a scenario set in space.

“These lessons help students see how mathematical ideas can be applied to the real—or sometimes not so real—world,” he says.

But for Nathan, the most important lesson is about mindset. He wants students to leave his classroom understanding their worth and believing in their ability to overcome challenges.

“I hope my students remember their worth,” he says. “I want them to recognize that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.”

Even on the most difficult days, Nathan says it’s his students who keep him going. Their resilience, kindness and growth serve as a constant reminder of why he made the career change in the first place.

“When the job feels overwhelming, I think about the impact,” he says.

“The thank-yous, the notes, the moments at graduation—that’s what makes it all worth it.”