Ana Martinez

My name is Ana Martinez. I was born and raised in Moca, Dominican Republic, and immigrated to the United States at the age of 18. I have been married for 24 years and have three wonderful children. Two of them are seniors at the University of Pennsylvania, and one is a freshman at the University of Cincinnati. I hold an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education Administration from the University of Cincinnati and a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and Science in Educational Studies from Mount Saint Joseph University. Currently, I am pursuing a Master’s Degree in Special Education with a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate. With over 25 years of experience working with the community and 15 years in education, my journey began in a diverse community in New York. I later brought my expertise to Cincinnati, Ohio, where I have been actively engaged with the community for over 19 years. My personal challenges in navigating the education system highlighted the need for support, inspiring me to become a family engagement leader and parent advocate. I co-host various successful family engagement programs focused on education and community empowerment. I introduced and co-lead several successful family and community engagement programs that address the diverse needs of our community. Some notable programs include the Hispanic Heritage Festival, 2nd Cup of Coffee, and Parent Academy. I have presented at various state conferences on family engagement programs and practices. I was honored with a nomination for the Laurie Horne Family Engagement Award and received the Bing Litonjua Award for Excellence in International Understanding from the University of Mount Saint Joseph. I am excited to share my experiences and learn from all of you. Thank you for the opportunity to connect.