Impact with Faith-Filled LeadershipRead Time 9 min

It’s not hard for Martha Perez to share emotions when conveying her sense of mission as an educator.

“Always love, always serve. Find God wherever I go,” the Bakersfield, California, native says about the calling that has led her to Milwaukee’s south side to teach young people at Nativity Jesuit Academy.

Perez is one of six teachers who will be honored with the 2026 Catholic Herald Teacher of the Year Award at the Archbishop’s Catholic Schools Dinner on March 4.

Her principal, Andrea Bergmann, said she sees Perez’ dedication on a daily basis.

“In short, Mrs. Perez forms students who think deeply, act justly and love generously. She embodies the mission of Catholic education — academic excellence animated by a living faith,” said Bergmann.

And if you ask the people who work every day within her classroom, it’s easy to see how effective she is at her callings to find God, serve and love.

“She is a role model who embodies her faith in the way she teaches, serves and loves others,” said Karina Maldonado, an educational aide at Nativity Jesuit Academy. “Her gentle spirit, patience and humility reflects the values she hopes to instill in her class, and her faith-filled leadership makes a profound impact on everyone around her.”

Unlike many Catholic school teachers, Perez didn’t grow up going to a Catholic school, but says her parents built a faith-filled home — what Catholics consider the domestic church.

“My parents always had a strong faith, so public schools, even though I didn’t attend a religious private school, I lived the faith daily,” she said.

“It was more of the practices of praying, having a relationship with God, sacraments, going to Mass, preaching, doing his work — not just saying ‘I’m a Catholic.’ For me, it was more the practice of living the faith daily, putting in practice what we were learning at home.”

Perez earned a bachelor’s degree from California State University of Bakersfield.

Before teaching at Nativity, she held a teaching assistant role with Messmer Catholic Schools, Milwaukee, now part of Seton Catholic Schools, where she enjoyed the opportunity to speak with students about the faith she also puts into practice at school.

“She serves as a teacher leader and leads our ministry team, guiding staff and students with wisdom, humility and a deep commitment to faith and service,” Maldonado added.

“From organizing living Rosaries to ensuring that the celebration of La Virgen de Guadalupe each December is as joyful and culturally accurate as possible, Martha’s leadership on the ministry team has made a powerful impact on students, staff and families at Nativity Jesuit,” said Elizabeth Erhart, a fourth- and fifth-grade English/language arts teacher.

Perez also focuses deeply on the mental health aspect of her students’ lives, recognizing that even at their tender age, mental health remains a priority.

“She teaches her students about taking belly breaths and using positive affirmations, giving them tools to calm their bodies, build confidence and manage emotions in healthy ways,” Maldonado shared.

“These practices foster emotional stability, self-awareness and resilience.”

Additionally, the school’s buddy program allows her kindergartners to feel positive older sibling-like relationships in school.

“One of our buddy activities that has stayed with me was the Living Rosary, where each student gets the opportunity to pray the rosary as a whole school. We help each other as a community to grow stronger in our faith.”

Perez said teaching offers her plenty of moments where God’s face shines brightly in front of her, and times when she becomes called to verbalize lead to moments that can change lives.

Martha Perez, a member of St. Margaret Mary, Milwaukee, has taught kindergarten for four years at Nativity Jesuit Academy, Milwaukee. (Submitted photo)

“In my school, we do the social-emotional Second Step curriculum. We were just struggling understanding our emotions and specifically respecting others’ emotions,” she said.

“One time we went to Mass and this student, a five-year-old, was just not having the best day. The homily was about Jesus. Coming back, he looked and said ‘I have a mirror in my classroom. Do I look like Jesus?’ And I said, ‘Sweetheart, you are his image. Of course, you would look like him.’ We were having a moment with problem solving — an emotional, dramatic play situation. He said, ‘I’m going to listen to my friend.’ I said, ‘Why are we going to listen?’ He’s like, ‘Because I’m like Jesus.’”

Perez’s secret is how well, how genuinely and how devotedly she creates those reflection-of-God moments, something that she deeply sees ingrained within as her mission as a teacher.

“The Jesuits taught me to always serve, always love with everything I do,” Perez says. “If it’s my students, I will be serving them and I will be loving them.”

Get to Know Mrs. Perez

Home parish: St. Margaret Mary, Milwaukee

I live in: Milwaukee

I knew I’d become a teacher when: During high school, when I became a catechist at my old parish, I knew that I wanted to work with children. When I was in college and I got the opportunity to step into a classroom, I realized I wanted to become a teacher.

I love teaching in a Catholic school because: Students can build a relationship with God in many ways: attending Mass, celebrating Catholic Schools Week, partaking in school events and/or activities.

Favorite scripture verse: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.” (Matthew 11:29)

Favorite book: “Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux.” This is an incredible book of the life of St. Therese that teaches readers about humility, love and compassion. Any small action made with love creates a profound impact in a person’s life.

Favorite saint: St. Ignatius of Loyola. Through the Examen of St. Ignatius of Loyola, we reflect on finding God’s presence in all things; we give thanks for the many blessings he bestows on us and discern how to make up for our mistakes.

When it comes to our faith, I want children to know: God’s love is infinite. He does not walk away when we make mistakes. On the contrary, God always embraces us.

My family: Husband, Daniel Calderon, and three children.

I love Catholic school for my own children because: They offer the opportunity to learn and walk with God.