Nathan Straus
Jacksonville Daily Progress
JACKSONVILLE —
Native Texan Faustina Martinez begins work as Jacksonville Independent School District’s Compass Center July 19. The alternative education center will benefit from Martinez’s love for students in need of a second chance, said JISD Director of Special and Alternative Education Dr. Leslie Brinkman George.
“We’re excited about the passion she has for the students and the level of academic excellence she expects from her students,” George said. “She’s worked with several at-risk populations and we expect her to bring appropriate challenges to that population.”
Martinez, raised in Houston, said she wanted to work with an innovative and close-knit community such as the one provided by Jacksonville Independent School District.
“I worked in a large district and I found it too fast paced,” Martinez said. “It wasn’t about being with the children.”
She said she sees this as an opportunity to work more closely with the individual.
Martinez has 17 years of experience as an educator with two years as an administrator and a background in elementary, middle and high school levels. She added this includes experience in curriculum and discipline.
“I moved Summit International Preparatory School from academically acceptable to exemplary in two years,” she said.
Her career began with Houston Independent School District and Aldine ISD, where she stayed for three years before being transferred to a school in Florida. She stayed in Sarasota for about 12 years before returning to Texas in Arlington at Summit.
Jacksonville ISD Superintendent Dr. Joe Wardell said the school is looking forward to working with Martinez.
“She has a unique background that will lend itself very well to the Compass Center,” Wardell said. “I think she will fit in very well with the faculty, staff and especially the students.”
Wardell said Martinez will connect well with her students the Compass Center’s programs and see to their needs.
Martinez said her goal is to be a positive contributor to JISD.
“I hope to serve students to the best of my abilities,” she said. “My expectation is to work collaboratively with other educators on the JISD campus, maintaining high expectations for students learning while attending the Compass Center.
A graduate of Sam Houston State with a bachelor’s of art, Martinez received her masters in education leadership from the University of South Florida. She and her husband of 22 years, Jose Martinez, have an 18-year-old son and a 15-year-old daughter.
“I’m excited to join JISD and be a part of an award-winning campus and innovative district with a rich history,” she added.
