The Susanville School District is celebrating a major achievement this week as long-time Diamond View School educator and math instructional coach, Cyndy Martin, has been named the recipient of the Mt. Lassen Math Council’s “Spark of Mathematical Wonder” Teacher of the Year award.
The honor was presented this past weekend at the annual Mt. Lassen Math Conference, a premier event for educators dedicated to advancing mathematics instruction across rural Northern California.
A Catalyst for Mathematical Growth
The Spark of Mathematical Wonder Award recognizes educators who go beyond traditional teaching to ignite genuine curiosity, creativity, and a deeper love for mathematics among students. It also highlights those who empower their colleagues to adopt innovative instructional practices.
Martin’s impact has been felt throughout the Susanville School District, particularly at Diamond View Middle School, Meadow View School, and McKinley School.
“Cyndy does more than teach math,” said Diamond View Middle School Principal Dede Heimbigner. “She inspires students to see themselves as thinkers and problem solvers, and she challenges all of us as educators to continue growing and improving our instructional practices.”
Shaping the Future of Local Math Education
As the district’s math instructional coach, Martin has been instrumental in several key initiatives designed to elevate student achievement. She introduced the “Math Lesson Study” model at Diamond View and Meadow View, which fosters a culture of collaboration where teachers can refine their craft together. Beyond that, she has guided the implementation of comprehensive learning calendars to streamline instructional planning across the district.
Martin’s leadership has also centered on modernizing pedagogical approaches; she has spearheaded extensive training on the Building Thinking Classrooms model, the new California Math Framework, and collaborative practices aimed at increasing student engagement. Furthermore, her expertise has been vital as the district navigates the pilot process for new math curriculum programs in preparation for a districtwide adoption in the coming school year.
Her commitment to excellence extends to integrating high-level educational research into local practice. She facilitated district participation in Stanford University’s Getting Down to Facts research initiative and utilized Jim Knight’s “Impact Cycle” to provide intensive coaching through the Rural Math Collaborative.
About the Mt. Lassen Math Council
The Mt. Lassen Math Council serves a critical role in Northern California, supporting over 200 members across nine rural counties in Region 2, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity. For over 30 years, the council has been the heartbeat of regional professional learning, bringing research-based strategies to rural classrooms.
For the Susanville School District, Martin’s award is a testament to the momentum building within the district to strengthen math learning for all students.
“She brings energy and possibility to math instruction,” added Principal Heimbigner. “Teachers feel supported, students feel capable, and our district is stronger because of her work.”
