Staff Profile

Hello, Westgate Community! My name is Dr. Martinez, and I am thrilled to join Westgate as the K–6 Assistant Principal.

 

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of teaching Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 3rd grade, as well as dedicated English Language Development classrooms at the elementary level. This classroom experience inspired me to expand my impact through leadership roles, where I served as an instructional coach, developed gifted programming, and led both the Gifted and English Language Development programs at two schools. My deep passion for gifted education led me to pursue a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Gifted Education. My research focused on the experiences of parents of traditionally marginalized gifted students and how bias within school systems shapes parenting practices.

 

Westgate's whole child model and commitment to gifted education for all align perfectly with my educational philosophy. I believe that every student deserves a high-quality education where they are valued as a whole person, cared for, and held to high expectations.

 

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family, exploring the outdoors, and reading by the pool. I look forward to working together to create the best possible experiences for our entire Westgate community!