Twelve years ago, Kathy Martin’s career path took an interesting turn. “This is my first job in education. My background is in journalism,” said the Cuyahoga Heights Schools (CHS) assistant treasurer. Martin is the recipient of the Staff Spotlight award for September.
After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications and Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame and a Master’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Northwestern University, the Cleveland-area native landed her “dream job” as an anchor/reporter for Channel One - a brand-new "news" program based in New York City that was broadcast in 12,000 middle and high schools across the country. ”In the next four years, I traveled to eight countries and 40 states covering the news from a teenager's perspective,” Martin recalled.
When she "aged out" at 27 years old, she returned to Cleveland and joined WJW Fox 8 News where she worked for the next 12 years. “I was blessed to work alongside legendary news people like Dick Goddard, Wilma Smith, Tim Taylor, Wayne Dawson, Stefani Schaefer, and (current Cuyahoga Heights Board of Education Member) Maria Scali Eder, who was a producer. “I won several local news emmys, and I was inducted into the local Broadcasters Hall Of Fame,” Martin recalled. Though she loved her job, she resigned in 2006 to raise her three children.
In 2012, she joined Cuyahoga Heights Schools (CHS) as one of three people in the Treasurer’s Office which oversees the financial transactions of the district. “That's all the money coming in and all the money going out,” Martin explained. As a citizen and taxpayer, Martin said she carries out her job as if it’s her own money being collected and spent. “It’s that important to me,” she noted.
“Kathy is always willing to lend a helping hand, whether it be processing deposits, creating spreadsheets to support student fundraisers, or assisting with countless other tasks that keep the district running smoothly,” said Dani Connors, secretary to the middle school/high school principal, who nominated Martin for the Spotlight award. “Her patience, kindness, and willingness to assist with any question or request – big or small; her selfless commitment to both her colleagues and the district as a whole; and her hard work, reliability, and positive attitude help sustain the success of the Cuyahoga Heights Schools,” Connors noted.
Martin also serves as Cuyahoga Heights Middle School’s Girls’ Basketball Coach. “I LOVE the middle school girls I coach,” exclaimed Martin. “We try to help them learn about more than just basketball, such as what it means to be a leader and a friend, how to rise above teenage drama, and how to pause and be thankful for all that we have, including parents!” Martin enjoys coaching alongside her husband, Al Martin, the Red Wolves’ Head Varsity Football Coach and Head Girls’ Varsity Basketball Coach. (The Martins met as students at Notre Dame.) ”I learn so much from him at every practice,” said Martin about coaching alongside her husband. “His mind is brilliant.”
A driven professional both in the office and on the court, Martin is mindful that our time on earth is finite and we must use it wisely. “You can really do anything you want to do – you just have to decide what it is you want to do, then point yourself in the right direction and put in the work. The rest will fall into place,” she explained. “If someone says they are afraid to do something because failing would be embarrassing, I say ‘don't worry about what anyone else thinks – go after what you love.’"
“Based on an experience as anchor/reporter for Channel One News, Martin lives her mantra. As part of a series on the science of speed, she flew in an F-16 fighter jet with the Air Force Thunderbirds. “When the fighter pilot took off, he immediately pitched the jet perpendicular to the ground and we shot into the air like a rocket. Then he had me take control of the jet and pull back on the stick until we pulled 9 Gs (nine times the earth’s gravitational force),” said Martin, who hadn't eaten for 24 hours prior to the flight for fear of throwing up on camera. Upon landing, she was given a pin to commemorate her experience.
When she’s not counting or coaching, Martin enjoys fixing things (she did all the trim work and painting and installed the flooring in her basement by herself) and spending time with her family, including children Jordan, Taylor, and Alexis, her five-year-old grandson Maverick, and a dog named Stud – and of course, Al, her husband of 35 years.
Martin is grateful for her time at CHS. “I feel so lucky to have this wonderful school to work for. “It really is a special place,” she concluded.