Matthew Wozinak

Matthew Wozniak will be teaching Chemistry, Physics, Intro to Engineering, and Principles of Engineering. A graduate of UW-Stout, Wozinak is a huge sports fan with a love for engineering and all things physical science.

Prior to Shorewood, Wozniak taught at Waukesha South High School and Kohler High School. He says his transition to Shorewood was prompted by an alignment of the district’s values with his own.

“I was drawn to the bigger school, and also the aspect of diversity of the student population, and being able to impact a wide variety of kids,” Wozniak said.

Wozniak says his aspirations for teaching originated, surprisingly enough, from a bad experience with a teacher in high school.

“I could understand him and my friends couldn’t, so during lunch I would always help my friends out,” Wozniak said. “I really enjoyed it, and after that, I [realized] I could see myself doing this.”

Wozniak found his specific calling in STEM.

“I’ve always enjoyed science in general [and] being able to do hands-on things like labs.” Wozniak said. “That also relates to engineering, where we are able to design things and build things.”

Wozniak values conversation and communication, a large part of why he decided to teach high school instead of younger grades.

“Little kids tend to not really listen to you and they’re not the easiest,” Wozniak said. “I like teaching high schoolers because you can talk to them like they are adults. I like to keep it real with students.”

At the same time, Wozniak aims to keep the classroom experience entertaining and enjoyable.

“[My favorite part is] the interaction with students; I like to have fun with them, joke around, and be light-hearted,” Wozinak said. “The things I teach are harder at times, so [I like] being able to have fun with kids so they aren’t overly stressed about what they are learning.”

Yoselin Martinez Figueroa

Yoselin Martinez Figueroa will be teaching Biology and Chemistry. A recent graduate of UWM with a bachelors in science and secondary science education, Martinez Figueroa is excited to take on her first official teaching job.

Martinez Figueroa’s transition to Shorewood was motivated by her previous experience student teaching at the intermediate school as well as SHS’s values.

“I saw that it was a majority bio position, so I knew that it would be mostly freshmen, and I was going to get to see the awesome eighth graders again,” Martinez Figueroa said. “I also really love the school; I really like the equity work that they do here and all that they stand for.” 

Yoselin’s positive high school experiences helped shape her desire to become a teacher.

“When I was a senior I went to Germantown High School,” Martinez Figueroa said. “I had Mr. McClellan as my teacher for my earth and space class. He was so awesome and so chill, and I really just wanted to be a teacher because of him.”

After student teaching, Martinez Figueroa completed a semester at Homestead High School teaching earth sciences. She describes her favorite part of teaching as forming connections in the classroom.

 “I just love getting to know students,” Martinez Figueroa said. “I really am here because I really love to work with kids [this] age.”

Yoselin also values the individuality and interest students gain in their passions as they grow older, and hopes to help foster this in her classroom.

 “High school is awesome because you really get to have a lot of fun while also learning about subjects that interest you, which I loved doing as well,” Martinez Figueroa said. “I want to influence students in a positive way, and maybe help inspire someone to love science as much as I do.”