I had always been interested in what kind of difference you can make in the lives of people. It s the mantra of public service, he said. Dr. Martes received two degrees from BSC, a bachelor s in elementary education in 1975 and a master s of education in school administration in 1979. During his career he has been a teacher, a principal and a superintendent a natural progression for someone looking to touch as many lives as possible, he said. You can make a difference in the lives of 25 kids in a classroom, or move to the other step and affect 400 students and families in an elementary school, he said.
Superintendents can make a difference for a whole community.
His first superintendent job was in Medfield leading a school community of five schools and 2,800 students. It was a job that required him to look at the big picture, to learn how to share decision making with a school committee and to build a leadership team of strong principals and administrators. Dr. Martes first became involved with the Association of Massachusetts School Superintendents by working on its technology task force subcommittee. When the executive director left last year for a job in the private sector, Dr. Martes stepped into his place. The association represents more than 700 superintendents and assistant superintendents in the Commonwealth s 350 communities.