By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

“I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. Playing school was my favorite activity,” said Meadow View Elementary School first-grade teacher Michelle Martin.

Martin began her teaching career at Grantswood Community School, where she actually replaced her own first grade teacher.

Now Martin cannot say enough good things about Alabaster’s newest elementary school.

“I am blessed to work at Meadow View. Our atmosphere is positive, inviting and beautiful. Our administration is great,” she said.

Martin, an Irondale resident growing up, was educated at the old Shades Valley High School and then graduated from the University of Montevallo.

Martin met husband Rusty (a Pelham guy) at a mutual friend’s house, and they were later married.

After their courtship and marriage, they bought their first home in Alabaster and settled down to married life. Having family and friends over, singing for fun and going on family trips to Disney are important in their family.

In 2003, Martin knew she had fertility problems. So she began lots of tests at UAB, and then the infertility treatments began.

In 2005, the Martins were ecstatic at the birth of daughter Kylie. In the next few years, disappointment and heartbreak happened with two miscarriages. “If you haven’t been down that road, I can tell you it is very emotional,” she said.

Martin went back to the fertility specialists. Martin experienced lots of complications during her next pregnancy with John Thomas Martin being born premature, but healthy, in November of 2010.

Shortly after her son’s birth it was discovered that Martin’s ovaries were precancerous and if she had not delivered John Thomas when she did, it is highly unlikely the “cancer warning” would have been found, Martin said.

Martin’s obstetrician performed the surgery after declaring, “you must have had an angel watching over you.”

Because of what she has been through, Martin has become closer to God and is more thankful for everything she has. Watching her children grow and prosper, health and happiness and being an advocate for yearly checkups are some of her goals.

The Martin family worships at Restore, part of Alabaster United Methodist Church.

“Yes, I worship in a converted grocery store and love it,” she said.

Singing alternative rock, gospel and some (no twang) country are her musical stress relievers.

Martin would love more time to volunteer.

“I want to give back for all the things I have been blessed with in my life,” Martin said.

 

Community columnist Sandra Thames can be reached by email at bobthames1942@yahoo.com.