About me
Martha L. Martinez is Co Executive Director of the California Association of Latino Superintendents and
Administrators (CALSA). She retired in June 2020 as Superintendent of Salinas City Elementary School
District over 40 years of experience in public education. Martha served as Assistant Superintendent of
Educational Services and as Senior Director of District/School Leadership Services for the Santa Clara
County Office of Education. She began her career with the Gilroy Unified School District as a
paraprofessional and was an elementary teacher, school principal and Administrator of English Learners
and State/Federal Programs.
Among Martha’s accomplishments is recognition as CALSA 2020 Superintendent of the Year for Region
4, ACSA 2018 Region 10 Superintendent of the Year, Leadership Award 2018 from Children’s Abuse
Prevention Council, 2017 Golden Bell Award for Changing School Communities and Beyond, the ACSA
Valuing Diversity Administrator of the Year Award, and the CSBA Golden Bell Award for Heart for the
Homeless. She also was proud to be recognized by State Superintendent of Instruction Tom Torlakson
for her work as the Distinguished School Regional Lead.
Martha served on several statewide organizations: California Collaborative for Educational Excellence,
California Equity Leadership Alliance, Bright Futures Steering Partners (CSUMB), National University
Advisory Council and the Association of California School Administrators Superintendent Council.
Martha was also a Founding Member of the Latino Family Fund Foundation and DEIA Lead for the
Board of Trustees at Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Martha received her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of San Francisco
and Bachelor’s degree in Child Development from San Jose State University, where she graduated with
Great Distinction and was awarded Highest Honors for Latino Graduates.
