VILLACORTA PRINCIPAL NAMED LOCAL CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR BILINGUAL EDUCATION ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
Students Throw Surprise Assembly for John Martinez to Celebrate Award
LA PUENTE, CA – It’s rare that an entire school can pull a surprise on their principal. But that’s what students at Villacorta Elementary School did on Friday -- a special surprise assembly to honor their Principal John Martinez for being named “Administrator of the Year” for the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE), Puente Hills Chapter. More than 600 students gathered and student representatives from each grade level read poems, sang songs and shared with Martinez what they appreciate most about him.
Martinez is passionate about all language learners and is known for his instructional expertise as a former teacher at Rowland Elementary and Villacorta. His commitment to building collaboration and teamwork at his school can be seen with his monthly Learning Walks (where four teachers visit other teacher’s classrooms to share strategies), and staff development activities focus on student progress and sharing student data analysis.
“John continuously strives to build capacity within him so that he may build capacity in others. His knowledge of leadership and teaching practices demonstrate great depth and breadth,” said Villacorta Learning Director, Sylvia Cadena. “He is greatly loved by the students of Villacorta. The connection John has made with students is heartwarming. John always listens with the heart of a parent and the mind of a leader.”
Martinez was Vice Principal at Villacorta for three years before being appointed this year as Principal. Martinez will receive his award at the CABE Puente Hills 20th Annual Scholarship Award and Recognition Dinner on Sunday, May 2.
The California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1976 to promote bilingual education and quality educational experiences for all students in California. CABE has 5,000 members with over 60 chapters/affiliates, all working to promote equity and student achievement for students with diverse cultural, racial, and linguistic backgrounds.
Villacorta Elementary is located at 17840 E. Villacorta Street in La Puente.