GREENBRIER — Greenbrier Middle School Principal Kelli Martin said she’s not a crier, but her voice broke with emotion as she talked about her students and a service award she received.
Martin was presented the Arkansas Association of Elementary School Principals Award for Service Above and Beyond. The award is in honor of Dawn Hochsprung, the principal at Sandy Hook Elementary School, who was killed in 2012 during a school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.
“She gave her whole life … in an unthinkable way,” Martin said.
The fact that the award is named for the Sandy Hook principal makes the honor more special, Martin said.
“I’ll tear up,” she said, apologizing as she started to cry. “We’ve got these kids’ lives in our hands, so, yes, that’s very humbling for sure, very humbling. I really love Greenbrier, and I do love this school district. I’m appreciative to be able to lead here.”
The 37-year-old Martin, who lives in Holland, grew up in Greenbrier.
“I went to kindergarten here on this campus where I am now,” she said.
The association accepted nominations from all levels of administrators, asking for one who “made a personal contribution or sacrifice that has resulted in a significant impact on his or her school community.”
Although she said her heart is with all the children, Martin has turned her attention to starting programs for students who need extra help,
whether it’s with homework or a family situation.
“I believe we’ve had a major shift in moving back to a truly child-centered school. Yes, the academics are the utmost, but to achieve what we need to, so much more has to be addressed,” she said.
She said that on paper, 35 to 37 percent of the middle school’s 560 students receive free or reduced-price lunches, but the number who need help is higher than that.
“We have done a lot of work to address students who are less fortunate here, from highly expanding our food pantry and clothes closet. That’s a regular occurrence here for students to be able to take advantage of that,” she said.
Superintendent Scott Spainhour called Martin a “tireless worker” who motivates students and teachers.
“Kelli is just a professional educator with a heart for kids; she is always learning, and she’s a great leader,” Spainhour said. “She’s all about best practices and what’s best for kids. She’ll leave no stone unturned to make sure kids are successful.
“She’s fantastic because she understands her research. She understands the academic side, but at the same time, she understands the relationship side.”
The “above and beyond” list of what she does is a long one.
Martin is known for her efforts with the less fortunate in the district.
“I’ve been able to work with churches to deliver appliances, clothing, getting [families’] water turned back on. That’s not me; that’s me being able to see the bigger picture of who can I connect with and, in turn, helping that student in my position, and helping them being able to come to school.”
A major partner has been Greenbrier Church of the
Nazarene, she said. Martin developed a summer tennis-shoe donation with the church, as well as procedures to get clothes and food immediately throughout the school year in emergencies.
Martin helped implement an ICU program, which stands for intensive-care unit, for students who aren’t turning in homework.
Teachers have students, during a “working lunch,” answer four questions about homework: Who do I owe? What do I owe? What do I need to get that done, like materials? How can I (the teacher) help you?
Those conversations have led to students sharing the situations that keep them from achieving, including one seventh-grade boy who had an arrest in the family and didn’t have food at home.
“That got all of our attention,” Martin said.
It also led Martin to organize a handful of churches to host a food drive for the Greenbrier Middle School food pantry.
In addition to a Friday Backpack Program, which provides food for students to take home on weekends, she also helped organize a summer food-delivery program. Teachers volunteer to deliver a food box each week to at-risk students.
“That keeps the line of communication open with that kid that, ‘Hey, the school loves you, and we’re going to be here in August when you get back, and we’re not gone just because it’s summertime,” Martin said.
“As an administrator, you have the power and influence in your hands. No matter how hard that is — and if I’m out at 9 o’clock at night delivering a refrigerator; if it’s loading up my husband and some food; if there’s a hungry kid there, especially one of my kids — that’s worth it. I can inspire my teachers to do that, too,” she said.
Martin said it all starts in the classroom.
“The hardest work and most important work is what’s going on in every classroom, and I’ve told myself I’ll never forget what that is like. No matter what administrator job I end up with, I don’t ever want to forget what it’s like to be in their shoes,” she said.
Although it took her a few years to realize that teaching was her niche, which she based on her love of working with children at church, she found it and never looked back.
Martin started as a kindergarten teacher at Westside Elementary School in Greenbrier, where she thought she would be until she retired.
“I just loved being able to be one of those first influences in school and getting kids to love school and just connecting them with school,” she said.
Then she moved to fourth grade — loved it, she said — and became an assistant principal at Wooster Elementary School, then principal at Greenbrier Middle School. Martin was an assistant at Wooster Elementary School under Lenett Thrasher, who left to take a position at the Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative in Plumerville.
“I’m always up for a challenge, and I just always know there’s something more to do and a bigger way to have an impact,” Martin said.
Martin also strengthened a relationship with Soaring Wings Ranch in Holland, a residential program for foster children. The children come to the school biweekly to receive tutoring sessions under the direction of college students and middle school teachers.
Martin donates personal time to the Very Important Panther program, too, which she helped create with her former assistant principal, Gregory Hodges. It allows a targeted group of students to receive services after school, including a snack, homework help, a sack-lunch supper and transportation home. The program also provides opportunities for the students to learn etiquette, order off a menu at a formal restaurant, visit other cities and more.
“We just want them to have some life experiences,” Martin said. The students also have to earn some privileges.
She gives weekly recognition to staff members with Whatever It Takes trophies and awards a Teacher of the Year plaque. Martin has been known to cook for the staff, including an annual breakfast on the first day of school and during particularly stressful weeks, according to her nomination for the award.
The hardest part of being an administrator, Martin said, is that she needs more time for students and staff.
“You wear a lot of hats and juggle a lot of things. That’s not an easy fix. And then you think if you could just do one more thing for this kid, or did you do enough for that kid? It weighs on your mind, but that’s a positive thing, too. You have to care that much, or you might be in the wrong career field.”
The official presentation of the award will be made in August at the association conference.
“I just love what I do. I think a big thing, too, it is my career, and I love it — but it’s got to be your passion. I love, love, love what I do,” she said.
The award, Martin insisted, is about the school, not her.
“Gosh, these teachers every day — I have been blessed with a great, great group of teachers. That’s inspiring. Our district administration has let me try new things. That’s inspiring, and that may not be the case everywhere.”
She also mentioned her faith and her parents,
Ronnie and Janie McGaha of in Holland, for modeling a good work ethic.
“I’m going to cry again. My dad always told me, ‘Whatever you do, you do 110 percent, not just 100 percent. Whatever you do, go above and beyond. … You do it with 110 percent and your whole heart,’” she said.
Senior writer Tammy Keith can be reached at (501) 327-0370 or tkeith@arkansasonline.com.