Janis Martinsen has taught 4th grade at St. John’s since 1998, after teaching 8th grade math at Boston Middle School for one semester.  She received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University South Bend in 1997, and her Master’s degree in Elementary Education from IUSB in 2003.

Among her many volunteer activities here at school, Mrs. Martinsen is chairperson for the school Spelling Bee, as well as co-chairperson for the 4th/5th grade Academic Challenge each spring, and Title I Reading Instructor in our after-school program.  She has also served on the NLSA District Accreditation Commission and the Indiana District Social Studies review committee.

Fourth grade is a challenging year, with an increase in the number of subjects taught and in organizational expectations, but Mrs. Martinsen believes it should also be a fun time for students to develop personally, socially, academically, and spiritually.  Learning is enhanced through several educational field trips, and by bringing community volunteers into the classroom.  Her students are guided through daily Bible stories to find connections to their own lives, their growing faith, and their service to others.