ACSA’s 2010 Elementary Principal of the Year Martha “Marty” Lux can’t remember when she didn’t want to teach. As a second grader, she would line up her stuffed animals and dolls, and play school.
Lux is now principal of Guadalupe Elementary in San Jose’s Union School District and a National University adjunct professor, developing teacher and administrator capacity for the future.
“It was no surprise that I got my degree and began teaching,” Lux said. “I became interested in administration when I was asked to be on a self review team for my school in the late 1970s. I was awe-struck and inspired when I saw exemplary teachers in the act of teaching. I realized that I could impact learning by becoming a teacher of teachers and a leader at the school.”
Guadalupe Elementary is one of the top performing schools in California, consistently receiving Academic Performance Index scores over 900. Ninety percent of students meet or exceed grade-level standards.
The school’s success is a tribute to Lux’s passionate advocacy for all students; positive interventions that improve the instructional experience; and a supportive, caring leadership model that focuses on collaborative teacher development.
“Over the past 30 years as an administrator, I can’t remember when public education has not been in some type of a crisis. Loss of positive public opinion, lack of funds, changes in special education, class size, accountability, changes in demographics and testing instruments, have all had an impact and have put pressures on principals and schools to change,” Lux said. “The challenge is to have a clear vision of what is most important to your school and students and to hold on to those things while keeping current in the field of education and moving your school forward.”
Networking with other administrators, school leaders, and attending conferences, she said, keeps the important issues at the top of her priority list.
“Bouncing ideas off of those you trust, keeping current with legal requirements, and renewing your personal commitments and priorities help to keep you balanced,” Lux said.
Lux’s vision for student success extends beyond academics. Students are routinely encouraged to participate in enhancing activities, such as music, physical education, community service and student leadership. In addition, she has developed partnerships with local business and service agencies that benefit the school.
She provides a motivating environment and is always willing to listen, lend a hand, teach a lesson or meet with parents and staff to develop a greater understanding and capacity for learning.
“The most rewarding part of my job is not some big event or honor. It is the little everyday things that touch and change people,” Lux said. “Sometimes the event seemed so routine that I don’t even remember it. Parents and staff have mentioned my participation in an IEP meeting, or walking out of my office to meet a new student, or taking the time on a Friday afternoon to discuss a student concern as making a huge difference in their life or the life of their child. These contacts that have made a difference for even one student have been very rewarding.”
Throughout her career, ACSA membership has contributed to her success.
“I believe that it takes a team to be successful in everything in life,” Lux said. “No athlete, political leader, humanitarian, or school leader becomes successful without the help of a mentor, coach, support team or friend. ACSA has filled many of these positions in my career.”
The Principals Summer Institute allowed her to reflect and plan her career with some of the most renowned researchers in education. ACSA members have been both mentors and coaches, she said, sometimes giving her the encouragement to try something new and other times giving her the technical support to effect change at her school or within the district.
“ACSA has helped to keep me connected with cutting-edge ideas and people,” Lux said. “My years on the Region 8 ACSA Executive Board as VP of legislative action taught me how important one voice, when added to others, could be to bring about change.”
Lux will be formally honored along with ACSA’s other Administrator of the Year Award recipients at the Leadership Summit, Nov. 4-6 in San Diego. Profiles of each of the honorees will be featured in EdCal through Nov. 1. To register for the Leadership Summit, call the ACSA Educational Services Department at (800) 608-ACSA or click here.