Colorado Association of Latino/a Administrators and Superintendents
LA LUZ DE LIDERAZO - A MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT
February 2022
Welcome to the CO ALAS Membership Spotlight. Each month we introduce you to one of our many CO ALAS members. Let’s see what they are doing and what’s on their mind!
This month we are featuring Aimee Marie Martinez, Dean of Climate and Culture, Adams City High School, Adams 14 School District.
Aimee shares her professional career and current bio below. You can read the diverse experiences that have led to her various leadership roles. One of our shining stars!
Career Highlights & Education
I am a proud Roadrunner Metro State Alumni with my undergraduate in Human Development and Family Studies, licensure in Elementary Education. I stayed at Metro State for my first Masters of Elementary Education. After I returned from having my daughter, I went for my Educational Leadership and Administration Masters with Grand Canyon University.
I taught 2nd grade In Aurora Public Schools.
I taught English in Buenos Aires, Argentina for a year.
I taught first and fifth grade at Twombly Elementary in Weld RE-8.
I am currently a Dean at Adams City High School in Adams 14.
I cannot wait to have the opportunity to use this knowledge to impact student achievement by working directly with teachers.
What is exciting about my job? Being a Dean of Climate and Culture at Adams City High School really opened my eyes on the operation of a school. Having a direct impact on the culture of my school helps me stay focused daily with the revolving door of students coming into my office with various needs. I enjoy bridging the gap between students, teachers, and families and really helping these young men and women connect learning with relationships and forge a future career path. Words from a consejero/a: There are plenty of intelligent people who have done this work and who made an impact and a difference in applying educational practices. It is important to listen carefully with respect and with an intent to take something from every conversation you have. Parent and student words matter too because everyone has ideas and opinions. You just have to decide which ones will further your vision in education.
Advice you would give a new superintendent or school leader: It is important to work alongside your staff and really be a servant and support. Just like you would take the time to build the relationships inside the classroom with your students, you should get to know your staff. What do they teach, how do they teach; this takes time. Being visible in the halls and classrooms is a must. Acknowledging your staff daily/weekly is crucial to the climate in the building the same way acknowledgement inside the classroom works. There is a solution to every problem and never forget that it should always be about the students.
If you catch me outside the office, you’ll find . . . I am always with my daughter Apollonia, who is five years old. If we are not at a dance class or Taekwando, we are spending time with her Nana and Boppa or visiting family in Washington. I love to travel and will be taking Apollonia back to Argentina this summer where I previously spent a year teaching English. Really looking forward to that! How does CO-ALAS add value? Students, families, and communities want to see leaders (and teachers) in their buildings that look like them. CO-ALAS gives opportunities for (aspiring) leaders from diverse backgrounds a chance to connect, to learn, and serve our communities.