LYNN — A member of Lynn Public Schools is on course to become a leader in education policy.
Ivette Martinez, who works as the director of the LPS Welcome Center, began her year-long Massachusetts Educational Policy Fellowship last month.
The program, which is run by the Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy, gathers leaders from a range of education organizations with the goal of understanding and advancing equitable education policy.
Chad d’Entremont, who works as part of the fellowship program at the Rennie Center, said the program is for established and rising leaders in education.
“It focuses exclusively on building fellows skills and leadership in education policy so they can better understand how the system works and better ensure that their actions lead to long-term and lasting impact for the students and families they work with,” d’Entremont said.
Martinez said part of her motivation for pursuing a fellowship was to use the skills she learned as an asset not only for herself but for the betterment of the district, an approach that she said was partially motivated by her excitement to work with Superintendent Evonne Alvarez.
“Our new slogan is ‘The future of Lynn is brilliant,’” Martinez said. “We need to get there. That’s why I thought about applying for the fellowship.”
She noted that in her position, it is crucial that she work at a high standard to support the students and their families.
“We are the first place of interaction with newcomer families and new families to the district,” Martinez said. “I want to align with the equitable vision of the district.”
Martinez said she previously worked as a community organizer and that she hopes her experience as a fellow allows her to better support the broader community through her work in the school system, especially in relation to greater equity in the community.
“Lynn is changing,” she said. “It’s going to take everyone to get there and provide students and families what they need.”
