Linda Martinez
Administrative Assistant , GUSD
As the administrative assistant at the Dr . TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy , Linda Martinez wears plenty of hats , from attendance taker and nurse to overall helper .
“ I help the students . I work closely with Gavilan College . I do purchase orders . I do everything . I love it . Some people when they wake up in the morning , they dread coming to work ? I love it !” Linda , 53 , said .
This year , Linda celebrates seven years working at the Dr . TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy , and 37 years with the Gilroy Unified School District .
Born and raised in Gilroy , Linda has always worked in education , even as a student . She said she started working at Gilroy High School as a freshman through a low-income student work program . Upon her graduation – after four years of working at GHS – a group of teachers signed a petition and presented it to the school district office . The next thing Linda knew , the school district offered her a job .
“ I worked my way up ,” Linda said . “ I have been a clerk , an attendance clerk , a receptionist , and a registrar . And now I ’ m here .”
Linda is the only secretary at the Academy . An educational partnership between Gilroy Unified School District and Gavilan College , the school is a college preparatory high school for which students receive both college and high school credit . In four years , students graduate from the Academy with not only a high school degree , but also with about 60 fully transferable college units .
“ My favorite part is the kids ,” Linda said . “ I really enjoy the students . Like any other job , they ’ re just learning . They need someone to guide them . And we ’ re all here to do that . Sometimes they come in with problems and we take the time to help them . We all do .” And Linda said if she doesn ’ t have the answer , she ’ ll find it . Linda has a son who is attending San Jose State University and a daughter living in Costa Mesa attending University of California at Irvine . Linda says she loves to sew and read when she ’ s not working .
By
Kelly Barbazette
S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 G I L R O Y T O D A Y 61