College of Education alumna Maria Martin recently became the first Latina principal in the Iowa City Community School District when she was selected as the new Grant Wood Elementary School principal. Martin, who received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the college in 1994 and a Master of Arts in Linguistics from the UI in 2001, was the first child in her family to graduate from high school in Chicago. She was a dean at West High School for 15 years before transitioning to Grant Wood Elementary School as the interim principal last fall.

Martin wants all students to feel secure to express themselves, develop the confidence to take learning risks, feel motivated, and be excited to try something new. She says she is invested in incorporating social and emotional learning, culturally responsive teaching, and restorative practices at Grant Wood.

Read the article, First Latina principal in Iowa City school district wants kids to know ‘it’s all possible’ in The Gazette to learn more about her experiences.