Jeanette Carrillo-Lamas, 8th Grade — Interview with Mrs. Karla Scales
What subject and grade do you teach at Martinsville Middle School?
I’ve been teaching sixth grade here for eight years.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
My mom.
What do you enjoy most about working with middle school students?
They keep me on my toes!
What’s something students might be surprised to learn about you?
I am a singer, gospel choir director, and praise and worship leader.
What’s your favorite lesson or topic to teach?
Figurative language.
What’s one thing you hope your students learn that goes beyond the textbook?
Life will always knock you down—be ready to live to your full potential.
How do you make learning fun and exciting in your classroom?
Secret tips, tricks, and hand gestures that help with learning.
Can you describe a moment when your students really impressed you?
My homeroom figured something out without help!
What’s your best tip for students who want to do well in your class?
Respect is earned, not given.
What does being a Bulldog mean to you?
We are the vibe—setting the tone!
How do you encourage school spirit in your classroom?
By showing up and supporting each other.
What’s your favorite MMS event?
8th grade transition.
If you could describe MMS in three words, what would they be?
Family, creativity, and expression.
What’s your favorite book, movie, or TV show?
Freak the Mighty and Bull.
If you weren’t a teacher, what job would you have?
Life coach.
Do you have a favorite hobby or activity after school?
I enjoy spending time with my family.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
The Bahamas—I need a break!
What advice would you give to students who want to make the most of their middle school years?
Learn to be bold and be okay with standing out. Remember, everywhere you go, you represent someone. Janette Carrillo-Llamas, 8th grade
In Ms. Pendry’s class, we’ve learned how to find equations and how to solve for slope. She has taught us very well! Many students from 8th grade love Ms. Pendry since she makes the problems make sense. In math class, we’ve also learned that Desmos will always be our best friend—especially the graphing Desmos! Big shout-out to Ms. Fletcher from 8th grade because it was her birthday last Saturday! Jaymi Hernandez, 8th grade
In history class, we learned about the Americans wanting to protect Cuba, so they went to war with Spain. On Tuesday, we started a project about convincing the rest of America to go to war with the Spanish. Jade Holland-Dallas, 7th grade
Adelaide Bryant, 6th Grade — Interview with Kavany Flores
What grade are you in and who is your homeroom teacher?
6th grade, Mrs. Milner.
What’s your favorite subject and why?
Math, because it’s easy.
What do you like most about being at Martinsville Middle School?
The lunch!
Do you participate in any clubs, sports, or after-school activities?
Robotics.
What’s something that always makes you laugh at school?
Ms. Milner, because she’s really funny sometimes.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned this week?
Reading Freak the Mighty.
Which class keeps you on your toes the most and why?
Math, because it’s really interesting.
What’s your favorite project or activity you’ve done this year?
In science, we did the solar system project.
Who inspires you to do your best at school?
My mom.
How do you stay organized and prepare for tests?
I study and pay attention.
What’s your favorite MMS event?
Spirit Week and Red Ribbon Week.
How do you show kindness or leadership around school?
By cleaning up messes and helping people.
What makes MMS special or different from other schools?
The activities and incentives.
If you could plan one fun event for the whole school, what would it be?
A day in the gym with activities for everyone to enjoy.
What’s your favorite lunch in the cafeteria?
Chicken nuggets.
If you could switch places with any teacher for a day, who would it be and why?
Ms. Clemons, because I love math!
What’s one thing you like to do outside of school?
Draw and play video games.
If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Kind, helpful, and funny.
What goals do you have for the rest of the school year?
To get better in English.
What advice would you give to new students at MMS?
Always show kindness.
What are you most excited about in the next grade?
Making new friends.
How do you think middle school prepares you for the future?
By teaching us to make choices.
What’s one thing you’ll always remember about Martinsville Middle School?
The teachers—they’re great! Adelaide Brent, 6th grade
Another week at MMS is going great! Let’s talk about the main subject we should all know—history. In history, we’ve been talking about the 13 Colonies. Thanks to Mrs. Woody, we’ve even got to do plays about the colonies! History is great because everyone should know it—it’s very important. Miriam Carter, 6th grade
On Tuesday, we learned about thermal energy. We also did STEMscopes lessons on energy and watched videos about how thermal energy is a synonym for heat. We learned how energy can be found in different states—for example, radiant, light, and mechanical energy. Then we did a simulation. Adelaide Brent, 6th grade
Alanna Gerlach, 7th Grade — Interview with Haylee Clark
What grade are you in and who is your homeroom teacher?
7th grade, Mrs. Norman.
What’s your favorite subject and why?
Science, because you can do experiments.
What do you like most about Martinsville Middle School?
The food!
Do you participate in any clubs, sports, or after-school activities?
Choir.
What’s something that always makes you laugh?
My friends and classmates.
Who inspires you to do your best at school?
Mrs. Norman.
How do you stay organized and prepare for tests?
I use my binders and locker.
What’s your favorite MMS event?
Pajama Day!
How do you show kindness or leadership around school?
By helping people with their work.
What makes MMS special?
We have multiple sports teams.
If you could plan one event for the whole school, what would it be?
Pajama Day every day!
What’s your favorite lunch in the cafeteria?
Nachos.
What’s your favorite song?
“Take Me Through There.”
What’s something you enjoy doing after school?
Singing in the choir.
Describe yourself in three words.
Honest, caring, and kind.
What goals do you have for this school year?
To get good grades.
What are you most excited about in the next grade?
Choir!
How do you think middle school prepares you for the future?
Through education.
What’s one thing you’ll always remember about Martinsville Middle School?
When someone turned on a water spigot in Mrs. Woody’s room and water went everywhere! Alanna Gerlach, 7th grade
This week in Civics, we went over immigration policies, qualities of good citizens, participation in civic life, and civic responsibilities. A civic duty is something that must be done, and a civic responsibility is something you can volunteer for. Our First Amendment rights—speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition—go along with this because civic duties help protect these rights. We also worked on the 1st and 14th Amendments, the naturalization process, and due process. Hailey Coleman, 8th grade
On Monday, we had a great time learning about energy in math and working on number lines. In history, we learned about enslaved people and their strength to do great things. We got to know about our people and their history and how it has changed over time. On Wednesday, we had a great time with the cheerleaders cheering for our big brothers and sisters. On Thursday, we worked on integers in math, and in English, we finished our novels. In history class, we have a field trip tomorrow to learn about the enslaved people who lived at Beaver Creek Plantation. Nevaeh Daniels-6th grade
Tamir Means, 8th Grade — Interview with Ms. Helena Hairston (Custodian)
How long have you worked at our school?
Seventeen years.
What made you decide to work in a school?
I was job hunting and found this opportunity.
What’s your favorite part of the job?
Making sure the school is clean and welcoming.
What’s one thing about your job that students might not realize?
It takes a lot to keep the school clean every day!
What makes working with students fun or special?
Seeing the students smile and say hello.
What does a typical day look like for you at Martinsville Middle School?
A busy day!
What time do you start your day, and what’s the first thing you do?
I start at 6:30 a.m. and begin by vacuuming the rugs in the office.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced?
Keeping things clean when students drop gum or spill things on the floor.
What helps you keep going on a hard day?
The students and staff — they make it all worthwhile.
How do you make sure the school stays safe and clean?
We lock down areas, keep everything tidy, and make sure doors are secure.
What’s one job you do that students might not know about?
Washing all the sports uniforms!
What’s your favorite lunch to eat?
Salads and cabbage.
What’s your favorite music?
Jazz.
If you could tell students one thing to make your job easier, what would it be?
Clean up after yourselves!
This message is from Taimir: Janitors and custodians are often underestimated and not appreciated as much as they should be. Taimir Manns, 8th grade
In science, we had a test about energy. In English, we read the short story Monkey’s Paw by W. W. Jacobs. TayShawn Hairston, 8th Grade
In math and science class, we did fun worksheets. For lunch, we had spaghetti and breadsticks. In P.E., we played dodgeball, which was so much fun! Oh, for lunch another day, we had hamburgers. In band, we’ve been learning to play “Let It Snow”. I went to Nature Club, and in the mornings, we have been watching CNN 10. For lunch another day, we had meatloaf and chicken legs. We’ve been reading a short story in English called “The Carnival”. My favorite class is science! Alanna Gerlach, 7th grade
