Dr. Martens began her tenure as Interim Superintendent for the Santa Paula Union High School District on July 1, 2011. Her professional career includes elementary and middle school teaching experience in Hueneme Elementary School District, site administrative experience (Principal and Assistant Principal) in Ojai Unified and Hueneme Elementary School Districts, Assistant Superintendent experience in Santa Paula Elementary and Ojai Unified School Districts, and thirteen years as Superintendent in Coast Unified School District and Sonoma Unified.     She worked in two Program Improvement districts prior to starting her tenure in the Santa Paula Union High School District.  SPUHSD is also a Program Improvement District. As in the past districts, she will work closely with Trustees, Staff and community members to provide enhanced services for students in order to close the achievement gap and promote higher levels of student achievement and success.   Under her leadership, Coast Unified obtained two school bonds and matching state funds for the construction of a new elementary school, high school modernization and classroom construction, and modernization of the middle school.  This experience will serve her well regarding the High School District’s 2008 Bond funded construction projects.   During her professional career, she has collaborated with a number of local non-profit organizations, local businesses, and county social services as a way to reinforce positive communication and to provide additional services for students in each of the Districts in which she has served.   Dr. Martens has been the recipient of several educational awards including the Cuesta College Susan Dressler Women in Administrative Leadership Award, Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Administrative Excellence Award (Region and Charter levels), and ACSA Curriculum and Instruction Administrator of the Year award.   She has been a member of the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA) since 2006 and was honored to serve as a Mentor in the CALSA Administrator Mentoring Partnership Program from 2007-2009.   Dr. Martens considers it an honor to serve in the Santa Paula Union High School District. She is very much looking forward to working with the staff, students, parents, and community members in a collaborative partnership with a focus on improved student achievement for all students.

The Santa Paula Union High School District, in partnership with families and community, provides each student the opportunity to develop values, knowledge, skills, goals, and self-confidence to be productive citizens in a global society.

It is the mission of the Santa Paula Union High School District to significantly raise student achievement and ensure all students pass the California High School Exit Exam, earn a high school diploma, and complete the requirements to attend college and be career oriented through a rigorous curriculum and safe environment.

1. All students will reach high standards, at a minimum attaining proficiency or better in reading and mathematics, by 2013-2014.

2. Eliminate the achievement gap of all English language learners by having all EL students attain proficiency in English and reach high academic standards, at a minimum attaining proficiency or better in reading/language arts and mathematics.

3. All students will be taught by highly qualified teachers.

4. All students will be educated in learning environments that are safe, drug-free, and conducive to learning.

5. All students will pass the California High School Exit Exam and earn a high school diploma.

6. All teaching activities will focus on significantly improving student learning by aligning the curriculum, instruction, and assessment to the state content standards.

7. Enhance district-wide infrastructure and school facilities.