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<cl>Agustin "Gus" Martinez is the new principal at Herndon High School.
Agustin "Gus" Martinez has been named as the new principal at Herndon High School. Martinez replaces Frances Ivey, who has served at Herndon for seven years as assistant principal and then principal.
"He is very capable, very polished and a seasoned educational administrator," said Jim Hannon, Herndon High’s acting principal and assistant principal for the class of 2011. Hannon said it is always exciting when a new leader comes to a school, and that he and the staff at Herndon are eager to hear and act on Martinez’s ideas.
Martinez is also a Herndon resident. "It is always a benefit when an administrator lives in the community," said Hannon.
"He is really enthusiastic," said Ann Marie Ruskin, Herndon High School PTSA President. "He is familiar with the community," said Ruskin of Martinez’s six years of living in Herndon. She said Martinez revealed in a meeting with her that he has an open door policy for the parents, and that her major expectation as PTSA president is that he makes the parents feel welcome. "I am just anxious to get things rolling," she said.
Martinez’s official start date is Dec. 3. Martinez earned the honor last year of being the High School Assistant Principal of the Year for Montgomery County Public Schools while at his post as assistant principal and principal intern of Northwood High School. He also has teaching experience, having taught high school English in MCPS and English as a Second Language at a high school in Miami, Fla. Martinez, who grew up in Florida, holds a bachelor of science degree in secondary english education from Florida State University and his master of science in education and administration from Johns Hopkins University.
The Herndon community officially thanked the departing Herndon principal Frances Ivey for her years of service to the school and the community during the Tuesday, Nov. 13, Town Council meeting. "The last seven years have truly been the highlight of my career," said Ivey. "Herndon is such a special place because of community support," she said. "My job was easy because of staff and support of our parents and the support of the Town Council." Ivey is moving on to become the director of High School Instruction and K-12 Curriculum Services for Fairfax County Public Schools.