Amanda Martinez has been hired as the assistant superintendent of Pupil Services at the Goleta Union School District (GUSD). For the last four years, Martinez has been the principal of El Camino Elementary School, one of the nine schools in the GUSD. Before that, she was the district’s coordinator of special education.
Martinez has led the transformation of El Camino into a Spanish/English Dual Language Immersion school, working with local educators, community members, and families in the implementation of the program. She also facilitated a schoolwide implementation of positive behavioral supports and interventions.
“I am thrilled to continue being part of a leadership team whose focus is on providing the best educational opportunities to every child we serve,” Martinez said. “I look forward to serving the GUSD community at large and leading a pupil services team filled with dedicated and passionate educators.”
Martinez’s outgoing demeanor has helped create partnerships with numerous community agencies, including UCSB’s Interdisciplinary Humanities Center, CalStateTEACH, Antioch University, Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara, Food Bank of SBC, and the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara, the latter providing a $65,000 grant for a STEAM Lab.
Under Martinez’s leadership, El Camino’s student absenteeism and truancies declined by 40 percent. “We recognized that there are deeper issues for families, and we worked with them by providing attendance support plans,” she said. “In many instances, it was a case of having a better understanding of the situation.
“When families feel they are being listened to, they’re more likely to work with a school to support their children.”
“Ms. Martinez has a tremendous work ethic and she focuses on results,” GUSD Superintendent Diana Galindo-Roybal said of Martinez. “She is a systems thinker who will lead the GUSD Pupil Services Department in a manner that brings positive outcomes for students and staff. We are fortunate to have her join the GUSD cabinet team.”
Martinez earned a B.A. in psychology and religious studies from UCSB and an M.A. in education from Antioch University. This year, she expects to complete her Ph.D. work through Northcentral University, San Diego, with an emphasis on special education and multilingual learners.
She has also been awarded teaching credentials in mild/moderate disabilities and multiple subject teaching from Antioch University, an added authorization in autism spectrum disorders from California State University, Fullerton, and an administrative services credential through the Santa Barbara County Office of Education.
Martinez will stay on as El Camino’s principal through the end of the school year, then begin her new post on July 1.