Among the amazing staff of counselors at Highland, Lia Martinez is the most recent addition. And though her road to the rams may have been twisty, now that she’s here, she is happier than ever!
“I really love being at Highland. I love my students. Every kid just has been so nice to me, which is great. It’s just so cool.” Martinez said. “The diversity of kids we have here, like the different goals that they have as well as the things they are dealing with, if it’s personal struggles or family things or whatever it may be, the work I do is never the same. Every day is different.”
Born and raised in San Jose California, Martinez grew up a devoted soccer player with little to no intentions of becoming a high school student counselor. She had always been into soccer and art, and so that was what dictated her decision to go to Colorado College. It was there that she got a degree in Art, while also playing for the soccer team. After graduation, Martinez decided that art was not in her future, and she made a full 180 in her career path.
“I just realized I really wanted a job where I could help my community,” Martinez said. “And I thought of teaching. I always liked working with kids, so I just was like, let me try it. And that ended up being my career for a long time.”
It was then that she joined a program called “Teaching for America” where she got her teaching degree and was able to gain experience teaching in high-need communities. Through this program she was able to simultaneously go to school at ASU and also teach mini boot camps to elementary school students.
After fifteen years of loving teaching, Martinez traveled to Utah and enrolled at Utah State to secure her ultimate goal, a counseling degree. During this, she took time away from teaching and worked as an administrator at a school, all the while doing her practicum for becoming a counselor at East High School. Working with the students at East, Martinez became captivated by the practice and discovered just how much she loved working with teens in the high school age.
After only a few short years with the leopards, Martinez came to Highland in 2024 and has been here ever since. Now a dedicated counselor of two years, she is enjoying her time here and hopes to stay for a while longer.
According to her, one of the many perks of being a student counselor is watching her students grow throughout their four years in high school. To get to help students from their freshman year all the way to graduation seems like such a fulfilling experience she is excited to have. Martinez says she enjoys connecting with students who have younger siblings that will eventually come to Highland. She works to build relationships that allow her to stay connected to families over time.
Considering her past as a steadfast soccer player where she played at both St. Francis High School and Colorado College, Martinez is beyond qualified to assist athletes at Highland as well. Whether it may be altering their schedules, helping them with time management or being a support system to athletes in their time of distress, she will be a wise guide since she has first-hand experience.
With big goals to continue helping kids have access to things that will ensure their success, Martinez is doing her best to make all students experience at Highland something great!
“Overall, it’s so fun to help kids reach their goals. And it’s also Interesting and meaningful to help them get over their challenges.” Martinez said. “I like the kids a lot and I think it’s a really great community here. Go rams!”
