We, as the Naperville North AHSME team, unanimously nominate Robert W. Martin, Jr. as the individual who has most influenced our success on the American High School Mathematics Examination. As head math team coach at Naperville North, Mr. Martin contributes vast amounts of time (in addition to his teaching responsibilities) in order to help improve our mathematical ability. His motivation and expectations impel us to succeed; which has resulted in two second place state finishes in the past three years. He expects us to put forth more effort than people not affiliated with math team would see as reasonable, yet he does not expect anything beyond our ability.

Mr. Martin motivates students by directing their energies into effective avenues. He is a student of mathematics, attempting to learn with his students. When a member of our math team or anyone, for that matter, approaches him with a new method or technique, he does not reject him/her; rather, he encourages new ideas with verbal compliments as well as utilizing the technique and teaching it to others. Mr. Martin does not have excessive pride which will hinder his ability to accept another's knowledge; yet his superior knowledge and nearly complete understanding of mathematical processes makes acquiesence unnecessary in all but extreme cases. Designating responsibility serves as another method by which Mr. Martin motivates students. With the advent of the TI-85 and other powerful calculators, he realizes that the most effective use of student energies is often to understand basic principles and then learn details. He allows students to intricacies of programming these machines, and then teach him what they have learned, while he in turn teaches them the mathematical constructs which the calculator uses. He is not satisfied with mediocrity, which contributes to his demands as a coach and has led him to write his own Algebra II book. His dedication of time and effort toward such a cause only furthers our dedication to mathematics; if an individual can be so engrossed in what he does, then surely we can put forth at least a fraction of that effort in attempting to better our math skills.

Originally coach of the tennis team, Mr. Martin relinquished this role twelve years ago in order to devote more of his time towards the math team. He serves as the model mathematician; willing to learn, ready to teach, and always giving a complete effort. The superlatives used in this recommendation would seem excessive for most individuals; for Mr. Martin they do not do justice to his contributions to our success. Without question, he is most responsible for our team's performance on the AHSME.
Sincerely,

Jason Benda, Umair Qadeer, Tom Chang
The 1994 Naperville North High School AHSME Team

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