ORLANDO, Fla. — Even as a child, some people know exactly what they want to be when they grow up. Brooke Martin is one of those people. She was educated in the Orange County Public School system. Her experience, though, with a special teacher inspired her so much that now Martin is the one being recognized for her teaching.  

Martin loves teaching music at Laureate Park Elementary School in Orlando. When Spectrum News 13 stopped by recently, the students were learning how to play the ukulele which is music to Martin's ears.

She says, "They catch on very, very quickly," she says. "We've already gotten past all the basic strumming and on into chords."

Martin says her high school choir teacher helped her learn about the power of music.

"She gave me a lot of chances in choir, and it really helped me become – like from a really shy person to kind of outgoing," Martin adds. "She just always believed in me, and I always want to replicate that for my students going further."

This is Martin's first year teaching. She says she enjoys experimenting with new teaching techniques, too.

"Kind of exploring new things and seeing what the kids like and using what the kids like in music class rather than always going with the classical example for music," Martin says, 

She says what her students are learning in class should always be fun.