Miriam E. Martin
New Jersey State Amistad Commission

In December 2003, Ms. Martin received an MA in Instructional Technology from the Richard Stockton College of NJ.   Ms. Martin maintained a 4.0 average throughout the course of her graduate work and was awarded scholarship assistance in 2001, 2002, and 2003 in recognition of her academic accomplishments.

Ms. Martin’s graduate work focused on the development of technology based instructional programs designed to enhance the self-efficacy and academic motivation of Black and other minority children. This focus was prompted by the result of research and peer surveys that indicated low self-esteem and poor motivation as two of the leading causes of the academic achievement gap that exists between Black and Hispanic minority children and their White and Asian peers.

Among the programs developed by Ms. Martin are the Black History Challenge, and the Black Inventions Match Game. Both of these interactive programs are designed to teach the students about the significant accomplishments of notable African American achievers. Her most recent program, the Amistad WebQuest, is an ambitious undertaking that provides mini lessons in language arts, math, and science within the telling of the Amistad Adventure.

Ms. Martin currently works in the Orange Township Public Schools district (Essex County, NJ) as a technology supervisor.  This position entails a leadership role in the integration of the NJCCC Standards for Technological Literacy into all curricular areas to improve learning outcomes and to provide more authentic and relevant learning experiences.    She teaches African American history for special interest groups and school programs.  Ms. Martin is also an independent film-maker having created documentary films on the black historical accounts of The Jeanes Supervisors, Master Teachers (circa 1906),  Church Etiquette in the Baptist Church, and The History of The Teamsters National Black Caucus.  She is currently making a documentary on The History of Lincoln Avenue Elementary School which is undergoing a complete renovation and restructuring of the 106 year old facility.