Crookston Public Schools has offered Nicki Martinez the High School Principal position. Ms. Martinez is currently the Assistant Principal at Laporte Public Schools. This offer will be brought forward to the April 26th School Board Meeting for ratification by the School Board. Ms. Martinez brings a focus on professional development, curriculum experience, and passion for educational excellence.
Martinez said she was excited about the focus Dr. Olson expressed for curriculum and academics. “It’s pretty exciting news,” said Martinez. “I am looking forward to spending some time, maybe in the month of May, in the building trying to figure out who the staff is, put a name to a face, those kinds of things. I’m very excited that Dr. Olson wants to focus on curriculum and instruction and trying to move forward with academics. That’s always been a first love of mine in education, so I’m excited to get to use that in full force rather than as an assistant principal, which usually doesn’t focus on that primarily.”
Martinez brings plenty of experience in a high school environment as a teacher and assistant principal. “I have been in education; this is my 26th year,” said Martinez. “I thought English for 24 years anywhere from grades 7-12 which included some college AP courses down to some reading intervention courses. From there, just crew to love curriculum. My master’s degree capstone was about curriculum. I’ve been active with PLCs (Professional Learning Communities) and most recently, active with putting together some infusion in the classroom with special education so that we’re doing the least restrictive environment for all of the students. I’m coming from Laporte, where I’ve been the assistant principal for two years. In that capacity, focused a lot on positive behavior interventions and some academic interventions. Now this year, been focusing on some special education assistance.”
Martinez said she’s looking forward to being a Pirate. “People there are super friendly,” said Martinez. “I come from an agricultural background, so I’m kind of used to everything I was absorbing at that time. It felt like a place that was a good connection and a good fit. I’m looking forward to being a Pirate. And I will definitely try to put my face in the community the next few months but then, you’ll see me full on once my contract is started in July.”
Crookston Superintendent Jeremy Olson joined the noon news live on Tuesday to discuss the hiring of Martinez –
