9-28-18 Sec 3 pg 12-16_Edition 9/26/18 3:23 PM Page 15
highlandnews.net n Highland Community News
Stacy Martinez comes to Highland
By HECTOR HERNANDEZ JR.
R EPORTER
H IGHLAND C OMMUNITY N EWS
After more than 15 years as
an educator in San Bernardino
schools Highland resident Sta-
cy Martinez is now principal of
Cram Elementary in her own
neighborhood.
She was hired at Cram in the
second half of last school year
and says she has received a
warm welcome from parents
and the community.
Martinez comes to Cram
from Lytle Creek Elementary
where she served as vice prin-
cipal then principal. Prior to
that she taught at Wilson Ele-
mentary for nearly 10 years.
“That was a good experience
because I went there as a VP I
worked as their VP for about
four years then I became prin-
cipal at Davidson for three
years then got to go back to Ly-
tle Creek for a year,” Martinez
said of Lytle Creek Elementary.
“That was wonderful because it
was my home in sense. It was
nice to be there but when this
job became available, because
it was Cram, my own neighbor-
hood, I applied because this is
where I live. To be able to work
and serve in this neighborhood
where my daughter goes to
school it was a really good fit
and timing.”
At each position she was
H igHland C ommunity n ews
Cram elementary school principal stacy martinez hosts stu-
dents to a special lunch as a reward for model behavior.
driven by the same passion for
children that helped her decide
to become an educator. After
graduating at San Gorgonio
High School, Martinez says she
entered college at Cal Baptist
University not knowing where
she wanted to go. Having
grandparents who were educa-
tors in Yucaipa helped her dis-
cover the opportunities in edu-
cation while fieldwork at Mari-
posa Elementary in Redlands
helped her complete the deci-
sion. She now has a masters in
curriculum and instruction and
another in administration, both
from the University of Red-
lands.
“I do think a lot of times
there’s a perception that teach-
ing is easy with short days,
YOUTH & EDUCATION
pHoto by H eCtor H ernandez J r .
weekends, holidays and a 9-
month schedule. So being able
to be in the classroom and ob-
serve teachers before making
that decision was an eye-open-
er,” she said. “Yes, school might
get out at 2 o’clock but our
teachers are on campus until 5
o’clock working and prepping
for the next day and working on
the weekends. It’s not an easy
job. You have to have a passion
for teaching and being around
students.”
Martinez likes that she can
now walk her daughter to
school and enjoys seeing her
students in and out of school.
“No matter where I go I see
somebody,” she said. “It’s so
cute because the kids just love
See MARTINEZ on page 16
Friday, Sept. 28, 2018 15
H igHland C ommunity n ews pHoto by H eCtor H ernandez J r .
preschoolers celebrate the 50th birthday of the First united
methodist nursery school on monday, sept. 24.
Preschool celebrates 50 years
By HECTOR HERNANDEZ JR. a parent volunteer. In the past
R EPORTER 42 years she has served as a
H IGHLAND C OMMUNITY N EWS teacher then principal. Two of
Highland’s First United the school’s teachers, Rose
Methodist Nursery School cele- Mary’s daughters Melanie Pe-
brated its 50 years anniversary terson and Holly Peterson,
with a balloons and a cake par- were once students of the
ty Monday, Sept. 24. school.
According to Principal Rose It’s the school’s family-like at-
Mary Peterson, the school was mosphere and its dependable
opened in 1968 by Lois Steener- staff that have made the school
son when she wanted a nursery a lasting success, Rose Mary
school for her children. said.
When Steenerson approached The school also has six par-
St. Adelaide Catholic Church ents who attended the school,
about creating a nursery school one of which has a photo of
the school organizers declined. himself sitting on Rose Mary’s
She then turned to First United lap as a child.
Methodist, which opened the “It’s a great place to be,” she
school with two classes, about said. “Everybody feels like
20 students. The school now has family to her because the
89 students ages 2 through 5. school’s been here such a long
Peterson has been part of the time. The staff stay forever and
school for 45 years, starting as See 50 YEARS on page 16