Debra Martínez Leaves Aldine ISD After 21 Years of Service

Debra Martínez knew at an early age that she wanted to have a career in education.

She grew up in a family surrounded by educators. Her father was a high school principal in Corpus Christi, her mother was a district library consultant, and her aunt was an elementary school principal in Corpus Christi.

Martínez devoted 21 of her 29 years in education to Aldine ISD serving as an assistant principal at Orange Grove Elementary School for five years and then moved to Nimitz High School where she served as an assistant principal for five years before leaving AISD to serve as Dean of Students at Yates High School. After a year at Yates, Martínez joined Conroe ISD, where she served as an assistant principal at Peet Junior High for four years before returning to Aldine ISD in 2012 and Nimitz High School, where she served as an assistant principal for the last eight years.

Martínez earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Texas A&I University. She received her master’s degree from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

She began her career in education in 1991 with Aldine ISD as a second-grade teacher at Orange Grove Elementary School, where she served for three years. She then moved back to Corpus Christi to work on her master’s degree and also taught fourth- and fifth-grade at Montclair Elementary School.

Martínez is proud of the career path she chose, she said.

“The only job I ever had has been as an educator and mentor,” she said.

She said she has thoroughly enjoyed the last 29 years.

“The most memorable highlights of my career have been the different schools I have worked at and the people I have met along the way,” Martínez said. “Those relationships will last with me forever.”

Martínez said it was not easy saying good-bye to her colleagues and students she has met over the last 21 years in Aldine ISD and at Nimitz.

“I will miss the Aldine family because I have made lasting friendships while working in the district,” she said. “I will truly miss my Cougar family. Once a Cougar, always a Cougar!”