April 2021 | Vol. 21 Iss. 04
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ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
ROLE MODEL FOR STUDENTS, COLLEAGUES, LATINOS By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Y
ajaira Martinez’s inspiring story began when she was a failing student, who didn’t learn to read until the third grade and who thought she wasn’t smart. What she has learned since then about education and possibilities—as a student, an educator and a Latina—is what earned her the praise and respect of students, parents and colleagues, and this year’s Assistant Administrator of the Year Award, given by the Jordan Association of Elementary School Principals. “Yajaira holds all the values of a competent and successful leader,” said Janae Young, a teacher at Bluffdale Elementary. “She has superb communication skills, is dependable, has initiative, uses discretion when needed, can adapt to difficult situations and works with a high value of professionalism. She is warm, has a supportive nature, works well with others, and respects others. She definitely deserved the vice principal of the year award. She is an inspiration of what a true educator and administrator should be.” It was the influence of two of her high school teachers that opened Martinez’s eyes to claim a future she never thought could be hers. She went to college and became a teacher so that she could do the same for other kids. “I just want to be that example to kids that don’t feel like they have a way out or a way to break the cycle,” Martinez said. “I just want them to be able to look at me and relate to me and see someone that looks like them, and see that we can be successful, and that school and education is the key.” Martinez began her career as a teacher at David Gourley Elementary in Kearns, where many of her Hispanic students were struggling.
Students feel valued and understood by Yajaira Martinez. (Photo courtesy of Yajaira Martinez.)
As she shared her own experiences and successes, her students were motivated to meet the high expectations she set for them. She noticed a big improvement, especially in her Hispanic
students’ attitudes about education. Their parents also began to be more involved in their children’s education and more comfortable Continued page 9
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