Madison Reporter

Jesus Cortez, known as Mr. J to his students at Sennett Middle School, uses unique methods to engage his math class. Originally an aeronautical engineering graduate from UW-Madison, Cortez found that a corporate career did not fulfill his desire for impact. This led him to pursue a master's degree in special education and become a special education math teacher.

In his second year of teaching, Cortez has already made a significant impact. He received an honorable mention for WMTV’s annual Crystal Apple Awards last spring. Despite this recognition, he humbly acknowledges that he is “definitely not an expert at teaching” and continues to learn.

Cortez assists students during "What I Need" (WIN) class time, providing extra learning resources and helping build their confidence. He emphasizes the importance of self-belief among early teenage students, stating: “So my biggest thing to teach them is just believe in yourself.”

He also introduced "Wellness Wednesdays," where students work on issues such as communication techniques and academic anxiety. This initiative aims to enhance life skills and foster community support among students.

Jessica, an eighth-grade student who has been with Cortez since he was student-teaching at Sennett, highlights the positive impact of his teaching approach: “When he helps me understand the math lesson, it makes me want to do more.”

Cortez's transition from engineering to teaching reflects his belief that effective teaching comes from the heart: “You truly have to have that positive outlook that students can learn and they will learn.”