Morgan Hill Unified School District will lose more than 75 years of educational experience come June when two top district officials plan to step down from their posts.
Assistant Superintendent Norma Martinez-Palmer is resigning after three years with the district to tend to “family business” after her father’s death in August 2014.
“I’ve been in education for 35 years (three at MHUSD) so this is an early retirement without retiring,” said Martinez-Palmer, 57, who will take time to decide on her next career move, whether that’s another administration job in education, teaching courses at a university or in consulting.
Director of Curriculum and Instruction Arlene Machado will retire after nearly 40 years with MHUSD as a teacher and administrator at several school sites and at the district office.
“The district is in a good spot. We’ve worked really hard the last three years with implementing the Common Core State Standards and now the pathway to the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards,” said Machado, 63, of Morgan Hill. “When we walk out the door, things will continue on that path and when someone walks in, it will be an easy transition.”
Before being appointed the Director of Curriculum and Instruction three years ago, Machado held a wide variety of positions from classroom teacher to principal at P.A. Walsh, Los Paseos and San Martin/Gwinn elementaries to Director of Technology and Enrollment and Interim Superintendent of Human Resources.
“It’s been a great experience. I’m very lucky and very fortunate,” said Machado, who intends to travel the world in her retirement while furthering her passion for photography and adding to the list of 40 countries she’s already visited. “This has been my life’s work.”
Machado—a Central Valley native—earned her undergraduate degree at UC Davis and then completed her master’s at San Jose State University, where Martinez-Palmer—a San Jose resident—received her undergraduate before getting her graduate degree from the University of San Francisco.
“I have learned a lot (and) have grown as a leader working here,” said Martinez-Palmer. “The principals, teachers and parents all want the same thing and that’s what’s best for the children. It’s been rewarding to work in a community like Morgan Hill.”
After spending her first three decades in education within the San Jose Unified School District, Martinez-Palmer came to MHUSD in 2012. At that time, Machado was contemplating retirement, but the immediate bond she formed with her new colleague made her want to stick around a bit longer.
“She’s such the ultimate professional and an outstanding leader,” said Machado of Martinez-Palmer. “We share a lot of the same core values: respect, honesty and truthfulness.”
The feeling was mutual.
“I couldn’t have done what we’ve done in three years without Arlene’s help. She knows the community and knows the schools,” Martinez-Palmer said. “With her by my side, it’s been very enriching and easier to do the work.”
Both position openings are posted on the education recruiting site edjoin.org. The assistant superintendent position has a salary range of $152,849-$167,021, while the director of curriculum position has a salary range of $117,563-$134159.
