Lifelong Kooskia resident Melanie Martinez began the 2021-22 school year as the principal of Asotin-Anatone Middle School in Asotin, Wash. After many years teaching at Clearwater Valley Schools, Martinez taught fifth grade English and social studies at Asotin Elementary School last year.
In describing her new role, she said “As a principal, I am still an educator and have the responsibility and privilege of helping both students and teachers work to achieve their highest potential. I enjoy forming relationships with even more students than one class and to be present during highlights such as academic and extracurricular achievements, as well as help students learn responsibility, work ethic and communication skills.”
The middle school has 144 students in grades 6-8. She said that school is off to a great start this year in both academics, sports, band and student government elections.
Martinez’s elementary school principal, Mr. Ray Bloom, provided early inspiration for her. Martinez said of Bloom, “He took genuine interest in the lives of every student and employee within his reach and made it his goal to inspire people to give their very best effort.”
Martinez also acknowledged the many mentors she has had throughout her career, including Linda Johns, Dee Ann Smith, Judy Leuck, Susie Borowicz, Dennis Kachelmier and Carrie Nygaard. “I admired the way each of these professionals went above and beyond expectations to make a positive impact in the lives of students, parents, staff and community members,” Martinez said.
Martinez holds both a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Education, Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Idaho. In addition, she completed her Master of Science in Educational Leadership through Western Governors’ University in 2020, which certified her to be a pre-K-12 principal.
In addition to her degrees, she believes her 21 years of experience as a teacher have been invaluable preparation, along with hundreds of hours of in-service training and additional credit hours.
In Martinez’s first year as a teacher, she taught all subjects for seventh and eighth grades at the Elk City School, followed by four years teaching science, math, technology and English at Clearwater Valley Middle School. She spent the next 15 years at Clearwater Valley Elementary School, teaching fifth grade, first grade and kindergarten until she transferred to Asotin in the 2020-21 school year.
One big difference between the school districts is that Asotin-Anatone district covers a much smaller geographic area, with three schools integrated on one campus in Asotin, compared to Mountain View district’s five schools spread out over three communities. She said, “Asotin and Clearwater Valley schools have a similar number of students, and both schools have excellent, caring teachers and staff.”
“I feel welcome and proud to be a part of the Panther team,” Martinez said, referring to the Asotin-Anatone mascot. After attending CV schools from kindergarten through high school graduation, plus 19 years of her career, she acknowledges “I’ll always have my hometown Rams close to my heart.”
