Kristie Martin – Superintendent, Washington Local Schools

Kristie Martin’s student-centered and people-centered leadership approach anchors who she is as superintendent of Washington Local Schools (WLS), a large public school district located in Toledo, Ohio. She has held a wide variety of school leadership roles throughout her 30-year career in education, all of them with WLS. Most of the job promotions that came Kristie’s way she never aspired to, rather she was recruited for these positions because of her instructional expertise, collaborative disposition, and ability to connect with students, staff, and parents.

Host/Executive Producer; Brad Rieger, Audio Engineer/Production Coordinator; Kerry Schwable, Social Coordinator; Tim McCarthy, Graphic Designers: Stephen Shankster/Jeremy Thomas. Content made possible by Cooper-Smith Advertising LLC 2023

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:04

What makes you? What kind of work? What you talk about? Hello, everyone. Welcome today. Join the past. Christy Martin. We're going to enjoy getting to know and connecting with Christy because she is the superintendent of Washington Local Schools, a position she has held since August of 2024. Washington Local Schools is located in Toledo, Ohio, and it's a rather large school district. Prior to the superintendent's role, Christy was an assistant superintendent, an elementary and middle school and high school principal, and she started a career as an elementary teacher. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from the University of Toledo and attained her superintendent's license from the University of Finley. And Christy, it's great to be sitting across from you.

SPEAKER_01 1:20

Well, thank you. I just feel honored to be here with you. So thanks for having me.

SPEAKER_00 1:24

And your your demands of your job are incredible. So carving time out just for us to get to know who you are, and as a as a leader and a person is a real gift to us. So thank you. And I think I want to start with um your student-centeredness. And every every school superintendent is student-centered. But I my observation of you over the last two years is that you've made that a priority, and that in uh you're very intentional about your school visits and classroom visits. Why is that so important to you?

SPEAKER_01 1:57

I think in the job of education and educational leadership, you know, one thing that I heard a lot in my pathway was we never see the so-and-so, the principal or the superintendent or the assistant superintendent. So I've really tried to be intentional about getting out there and being seen by the staff and the students and the families. And it's easy because it's the best part of my job. I do have to be intentional about putting it in my calendar and scheduling, having people invite me into their classrooms. Some classrooms, because I've been in the district a long time, I'm more comfortable just opening the door and walking in. And some are I'm invited to be, we do, we call it a student intendant. So I can be a student in their classroom and like sit for a math period or an assignment or a lesson. And the kids love that I'm being a student, and a lot of times they know way more than I do. But again, I'm out there, I'm visible, and I think that's important to build those relationships with my community, my staff, and my students.

SPEAKER_00 2:58

Right. You mentioned about being invited into the classroom. I saw somewhere where you and several your administrators took the eighth grade citizenship test earlier this year. How did what's the context of that?

SPEAKER_01 3:10

Well, again, we were I was invited into the classroom. It was uh one of our junior high socialized teachers, and he did invite us over to take um the citizenship test. I was very nervous, I'll be honest with you. It's been a long time. Um, I am proud to announce that I would have passed and can be a U.S. citizen, so that was great. Um, and most of my team did, so that was also good. I'm not going to share anybody that didn't. Um, but I think again, the kids appreciated seeing us there. And when we missed an answer, because we kind of just went through them out loud, it's okay to say we made a mistake or we didn't know that one.

SPEAKER_00 3:43

So you took it right with the kids.

SPEAKER_01 3:44

We took it right with the kids and we went through our answers.

SPEAKER_00 3:46

That's real-time courage there.

SPEAKER_01 3:48

It was, and I admitted to him. I'm nervous, but I will do it because I'm invited. I I love being invited into classrooms and it was great. And I think he appreciated us being there and being vulnerable with the kids.

SPEAKER_00 3:57

That's wonderful. Uh, the other way that you connect with uh students and staff is uh a podcast, and it's called uh Scoop with the Soup. Scoop with the Soup, yeah. Scoop with the Soup. So what do you enjoy about that?

SPEAKER_01 4:09

Well, again, I think communication and leadership is always an issue and it's something we can always do better. And so when I came into the superintendency, it was important to me that I had patterns of communication. Um and I do a Mondays with Martin message internally to all of my uh staff. So I I like to send that every Monday morning. They know it's coming out.

SPEAKER_00 4:28

Is that a video? What is it?

SPEAKER_01 4:29

It's um just it's a newsletter. Newsletter, yeah. And then in that I embed the scoop with a soup, which is a podcast. Right. And the podcast also goes out to the community, and it's really just highlighting the great things in Washington local. Um right now I'm doing a building tour, I'm going to every building, so I have a small group of staff on those um podcasts. Uh I stopped kind of in the middle and I did one on um Calamity Days and weather because that was a hot topic for the community. So I recorded a podcast and kind of put that out. And then sometimes we do ask the community where they send in questions that they want me to speak on, and and I answer those. So I think it's again a way to communicate and connect with the community and the staff.

SPEAKER_00 5:08

Right. Let's go to Christy growing up. Uh give us an idea of what type of kid you were and what what your activities and you know, I think I was just a very average kiddo growing up.

SPEAKER_01 5:19

Um, nothing that stood out. Uh, but I always wanted to be a teacher. I think I had a brother that was two years younger than me, and from an early age, back in that in the day, we would have um, you know, the copies, the old dittos that you bring home, and I would make him uh play school because I wanted to be the teacher and he had to be the student. And I just remember doing that um from early on. I I think I always wanted to be an educator. So uh obviously graduated from college and became a fourth grade teacher at Lake Local Schools, pretty close to us.

SPEAKER_00 5:50

And then the um one of the things that um what the you you did you did the uh elementary teaching at Lake, you did that what, seven years at fourth grade? Yep. What was the catalyst for you to pivot into administration and to come to Washington local?

SPEAKER_01 6:04

Yeah, that's a good question. I I during that time I wanted to get my master's, and I thought, well, gosh, if I'm getting a master's, I want to get it in something that would give me some other options. And I I liked, I was kind of like a lead teacher back there, and I kind of liked do taking on some leadership roles, and I thought I was going to get my master's in leadership and supervision at the time having no idea if I would use it. Um, so I I did that and then um started a family. My daughter was about two, and I started thinking, you know, I think I'm ready to maybe be a principal and started looking. My husband actually went to Washington Local Schools and graduated from Whitmer. So I think he's the one that said, Hey, have you ever thought, you know, about Washington Local or working there? And and I hadn't, but um at that point I put my application in, and I always believe life happens, it's about timing. And that summer that I put my application in, I was called in by Washington Local in May for an interview for a building and I didn't get it. And then I was called back in July for another building and I didn't get it, and then I was called in in August, and then all by Washington Local for a job at Jackman Elementary, and I ended up, I feel like a little bit by default because they were running out of candidates. I got that job. And it truly was the best um start for me. I Jackman was a home for me here in the district for eight years. I loved it, I grew with the staff, I learned a lot in that position, and again, I think everything happens for a reason, and I'm kind of where I am now because that start that Washington Local gave me back in the day.

SPEAKER_00 7:34

It's your the road to the superintendency, your path is like a perfect template because you've had you had like 15 years at the elementary level teaching and principaling, and then you had time at the junior high, then you did eight years at Whitmer High School, which is like running a city, and then also had assistant superintendent experience. So, how did all that breadth of experience prepare you for what you're doing right now?

SPEAKER_01 8:00

Well, I think that again, hindsight, I had no idea I would be where I am today. It I never set out to say, I want to be a superintendent when I grow up. I don't even think I knew what a superintendent did. So um I knew I liked leadership, I knew I liked helping, I knew I liked making a difference. And so I started at Jackman as a principal, and I loved that. Um, did that for eight years, and I thought the junior high position came open and kind of went for that. And then the summer I moved to the high school, we had somebody leave the high school kind of late in the summer, and they reached out and asked if I had any interests. And I'll be honest, I was the high school made me nervous. 2,200 kids every day, and I wasn't a high school person. Most of my experience had been in the elementary. Um, but I kind of took a leap of faith and went to the high school position, and truly, it is like running a small city, but I loved being at the high school. I remember my opening staff meeting, I said, you know, you're probably a little nervous about having a new leader, and I'm very nervous about being here. And I was just very open and honest with the staff because um high school wasn't in my comfort zone, but it definitely became the energy, the kids. I just I loved the high school, and I think that really helped when I moved to the assistant superintendent role. Um, I I really've had a little experience and dabbled in everything. I mean, kind of a jack of all trades, master of none, but I I really felt like I knew a little bit about everything, you know, transportation and food services and building leadership and teaching. And so I think that's really helped me in this position because I do have a basic understanding of what the staff here is doing.

SPEAKER_00 9:32

Right. And uh you had two children go through the school district, right? And they're they're graduated in an adulthood. Yes. But during that time, you were either a principal or a central office administrator. Was there how did they react to having mom around school?

SPEAKER_01 9:49

Well, my daughter had me as a principal at Jackman and then again at Whitmer, so she probably got the the worst part of it. Um, she used to write college essays about, you know, when you have to write an experience or something that shaped you, she would write about her mom being her principal. Um, but I think I held a higher standard for my own students. I think we all do for own kids. We all want better for our kids than we had, and I had high expectations because I did work in the district. Um, my son, I was his principal at Whitmer during COVID, so didn't get quite the same experience. But I did. I I think I put on higher expectations for both of them because I would know if there were issues. They couldn't really get away with anything. Um, and I'm fortunate that you know no one's perfect, but they both uh did pretty well and I didn't have a lot of issues with them. But I I was I really felt fortunate that I could have my kids in the district that I worked. So I've you know, when I made decisions, I could always say, and I still say that, I make them as a parent. You know, I'm not putting my if there was an issue going to the high school and somebody thought something was unsafe, well, my own student, my own son is there every day, or my own daughter's there, and I wouldn't put your child nor my child in in any danger. So it was as a parent, and I still do that. I think like a parent when situations come up. And I think it was it was good for me and good for my kids, and I hope good for my leadership.

SPEAKER_00 11:05

Very cool. Uh instructional leader, that's a role that you've had at the building level, and among all the other things, you're supposed to do that as a superintendent, among all the other things.

SPEAKER_01 11:16

But for you, what does uh high impact or effective instruction look and sound like to you know, I think if you would have asked Christy Martin 20 years ago, um starting off, uh and Christy Martin now, um, I think in 2026, things that are important to me are engagement, kids having fun, kids being curious. I think some of the things that we maybe lost along the way is making sure that they're brought back. Um I think interactive and you know, excitement and joy, just bringing joy back to education. Um, I think that's really what I like to see. And yes, there are state standards, and we have a report card, and we are doing a lot of work. Our teachers are amazing and work every day. But I think our kids can do that in a fun and joyful way, and I think our teachers are doing a fabulous job of bringing that to the classroom. So that's what I look for.

SPEAKER_00 12:10

Awesome. And also in Washington local, you have um a portrait of a panther. Can you explain that? And how does that uh provide guidance for how the academic program works?

SPEAKER_01 12:20

Yeah, that's a good question. When I was the assistant superintendent, um, we took on the portrait of a panther work and really we had community and district people in, and re-what do we want a Whitmer High School graduate to look like? What skills do we want them to have? And again, there are a lot of academic pieces that we want our kids to have, but our district came up with empathy, adaptability, critical thinking, learners' mindset, communication, and integrity. And I think they're just good human skills that make you um a productive member of society. Um, I would throw kindness in there, it's not in there, but I think in the world today, kindness is something I say a lot, just being kind to each other. But we really just we're preparing our kids to be functional members of society and learn to get along with others and to have a role. And I think that's what we want from our Whitmer Panthers.

SPEAKER_00 13:06

Bottom line that when they walk across the stage at Whitmer High School and get that diploma, what do you want them to walk out with? What's the one or two things that you hope that they leave with? That's a good question.

SPEAKER_01 13:16

I want them to have confidence that they have skills to go on and do whatever that next step looks like for them, whether it's college, whether it's um uh the workforce, whether it's military, but they have a really solid foundation. And I say this a lot. I think our kids have a lot of grit at Washington Local. Like we have kids that really just overcome things, and I'm so proud of them. And they got to that point because of their work ethic and their kind of know-how. So yeah, they have the skills to do whatever that is next, and and I think shoot for the stars.

SPEAKER_00 13:45

Now I know this next question, Christy. There's whole seminars on it. But the uh relationship between the superintendent and the school board is vital for the overall effectiveness, productivity, and just the health of the school district. But it's very nuanced unless you've been there, you don't fully understand that. Um and the elected officials have a big responsibility, but how do you try to keep it uh positive uh with your school board members? And it's a wild time, right? Politically, everything.

SPEAKER_01 14:20

But how how do you try to keep that positive and keep it real with your that is probably a part of the job that I didn't know coming into the superintendency, that the time um with the five I have five bosses really, and the time that uh that I need to spend with them as a whole and maybe even individuals. So um I think communication, I I talked a little bit about that, it's very important to me. You know, I met with all of them early on. I I don't want surprises, they don't want surprises. So I think we all have that understanding, uh, lots of communication. I am charged to lead the district and make the right decisions for the district, and I I am fortunate that my school board really lets me do that. Um, and maybe they don't even always agree with every decision, and they'll tell me that, and I respect that, but when we come out, um they let they they will vote with me and they will move forward. And getting five people on consensus doesn't happen all the time, so um, I think we understand that, and we can agree to disagree sometimes, but they do respect I think the job I do, they know they hired me to do that job. Um, so I'm pretty fortunate that I have a board. Two of my board members, fun fact, were my students. Um, so I think that's also fun when you have a couple students that now are actually board members and my boss.

SPEAKER_00 15:33

Right. A couple of personal leadership uh questions for you, Christy. What are your non-negotiables as an educator and as a school leader?

SPEAKER_01 15:44

So I've said this throughout my career is I always make decisions for kids and and I expect my team or other people in the buildings or area that I work to do the same thing. And if you come with me, come to me with an idea for kids or unique or creative that's gonna help kids, I I love to try those things. Um I also I said my team, I have an amazing team, and I am one person. Um, and I wrote the quote because I've said this if you're the smartest person in the room, then you're in the wrong room. And I I do believe that. Like I'm not the smartest person in my room. I have a great HR director, I have a great curriculum director, I have a great PR person. I mean, I just have good people. And I think people that aren't afraid to say, Hey Christy, you're maybe on the wrong track with this, or have you ever thought about this? I mean, I think we can have those those discussions, and then when we make decisions, we are making decisions for kids. So that's really important to me to use my team to always be pro-kid. And and I mentioned this early, I put my parent hat on a lot. Like, how would I feel as a parent? Um, even when parents are upset about something, whether it's on social media or a phone call I receive, they're upset because they're advocating for their child. So it's I'm never upset with a parent for being upset with us. If we made a mistake, we'll own that and fix it. And we may not always agree, but they're always coming from a a place of concern. So I really try to think about that. I think my assistant superintendent is really good at that, and so my is we just do a lot of listening and trying to understand where they're coming from.

unknown 17:12

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 17:13

If you look back over your career or life, uh what are the uh experiences andor people that shaped your leadership approach?

SPEAKER_01 17:22

Well, we talked a little bit about running Whitmer High School. I think that was a really good precursor for me in this position. Um, I've had really good people that I've worked under. Uh Sherry Moreland was an assistant superintendent when I was a building leader, and she was very supportive and just really helped me to grow. Um and then Katie Anstead, who I took over for, I mean, she for three years when I was assistant superintendent, really prepped me for this job as much as you can prep someone for this job. But she really did see interest in me. And it was kind of like um female leaders building up female leaders, and sometimes you don't see that. Sometimes you can see female leaders maybe um pushing people, other female leaders away or not, but I have been blessed to work with really strong female leaders who have really helped make me better. And then I will say this, I think I've learned from not good leaders too, and I've had some of those in my job, whether it's you know, a principal or somebody I worked under, and so I think you learn from maybe not good leaders. Like I don't ever want to make someone feel that way, or I don't ever want to do that intentionally. So I really observe a lot and try to think about those pieces in my leadership.

SPEAKER_00 18:30

That's wonderful. Um, you might have noticed that uh this job, there's a lot of uh no-win, rocking the hard, hard place uh situations. You've been on a job almost two years now in this role, right? Um what's been the most complex either decision or situation you've had to navigate so far?

SPEAKER_01 18:53

I think um so when I took over, we had started our negotiations with our teachers union in the spring when I was assistant superintendent, and we didn't settle our contract. So when I took over as a superintendent, we had an unsettled contract. And there is no world where any superintendent wants to take on a district that has a a contract that hasn't been resolved. But I've been in the district a long time and I care about the community and the teachers and the district, and I I took that position and it was messy. The fall was very messy, and it's hard because I have a lot of respect. I mean, I respect teachers and and the staff and even our negotiating team, we didn't always agree both sides, but it was done respectfully. But there were it was heavy. I think it was really heavy that I could I'm a fixer by nature and I couldn't fix this. It's just wasn't a quick fix, and it took us into December before we were really able to settle. And I'm super thankful that we we did settle, but it was just never when I had kind of envisioned being a superintendent the last several years, I never thought of that conflict that it created um in our community and with our staff. I do believe we've we've gotten over it, um, and and this year has been much better. And even after we settled, it was just like we could all breathe again, but it was it was tough, and it was not a situation I ever wanted. Um, there's always a lesson to be learned somewhere in there, and I I hope I'm better somehow for it, but not what I wanted, but a happy ending. How about that?

SPEAKER_00 20:28

Still sticking with the weight of the job. Um, what do you do to handle those stresses? Is there a habit or a discipline or something you do to kind of navigate the weight of the job? The responsibility is heavy.

SPEAKER_01 20:43

Um, I'm a people person by nature and I do a lot of peopleing all day long and in the evening. And when I get home, I sometimes just need to to shut down. And I'm a big, I listen to a lot of podcasts, some educational and some just true crime that I like. Um I listen to a lot of audiobooks, I listen to music. I have to do those things to kind of shut my brain off from the job because I have to when most people go to bed at night, you turn your phones off and put them away. I turn mine on. And that's just a habit because you never know there's gonna be an emergency, whether it's a staff or a student or something in the community. Um, so I can't always turn off like I need to. So I really have to to find that time. I love being outdoors in the sunshine, which you know, hopefully soon that can happen. Um, and I enjoyed just spending time with my family and really not, I think about work a lot. I spend a lot of hours thinking about work, but sometimes just having a couple hours.

SPEAKER_00 21:39

Are you able to turn it off?

SPEAKER_01 21:40

Um, sometimes, not not real well. Again, my assistant superintendent and I will take turns if we're on a vacation or she knows I have something going on, she's like, I got the phones this weekend. And I'm lucky that I have that rapport and we're a great team, and she can take things and let me handle that. And I do the same thing for my team when I know they're on vacation. I really try not to to bug anyone because I think we all need that. Downtime. As a district, we've really tried to um just be cognizant of after school hours and sending emails and messages. We do a lot of schedule send for the work time because I think everyone needs that wellness to shut down.

SPEAKER_00 22:12

Great discipline on that. Most of the world is not.

SPEAKER_01 22:15

We've gotten a lot better because it's important. I mean, people spend a lot of time thinking about work. So, yes, I think it's we could always get better, but we've really come a long way with that.

unknown 22:22

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 22:23

All right. Every superintendent's favorite question. Uh, when there's bad weather in the air, Christy, uh, what uh what's the process you use and what factors do you consider when you are deciding whether to delay, to cancel, or hold school?

SPEAKER_01 22:40

So when I started the job, um, my first staff meeting in August, the one of the things I said is my I'm most excited about being a superintendent, so I can call a calamity day. And in my mind, I was really excited about that. Silly me, because the reality of that is there's a lot that goes into it. Um, setting my alarm, watching the weather, setting my alarm for like 5 a.m. Um, so again, it's a team. I have a great team and a network of area superintendents, and we are texting at night and in the morning. Um, and I it's nice to be able to talk through what are you doing, what are you doing? Because if I have everybody around me doing something, probably need to consider doing the same thing. Um when it's cold temperatures, like that's an easy one because if it's cold here, it's cold in Perrysburg or Rosford or mommy, and so we can easily have those discussions. So I appreciate my team of um superintendents, and then I have a operations director and our transportation director who they drive out early and they're the ones calling me and kind of giving me some advice. I've had to drive a little bit, but most of the time they call. You know, we look at the road conditions, but I think more importantly for our kids, we look at sidewalks. Can we get the buildings and the um parking lots and the walkways ready for kids? Um, does a couple extra hours give a little more sunlight and then a little safer path to school? So so much goes into it. I wish there was a perfect formula because um, you know, it's kind of an art form in some ways. Yes, and I think, you know, do I I think whenever call I make, I have to feel like that was the right call with the information I had. And I've been I can support the calls I made this year. There was one that a couple area schools did something different, and and you know, if you look on social media, um I was annihilated a little bit, and that's okay. I do believe we all made the right decision.

SPEAKER_00 24:26

Annihilated. That's a strong descriptor for feedback.

SPEAKER_01 24:29

If you read the comments, you might say Annihilated.

SPEAKER_00 24:32

Um how was work today? I was annihilated.

SPEAKER_01 24:35

You know, it's funny, even kids. And hey, kids have sent me emails, and I appreciate that because I give them um like I it's a it's a teachable moment. So I talked to them about the temperatures or what we look at, and and most of the kids are very respectful when they do email me. But um, yeah, it's I had one day that was really rough, but we're up early, we take it very seriously. You have to balance like it's important to get kids to school and balance the safety. We always err on the side of safety, um, but there's no perfect formula.

SPEAKER_00 25:02

So well, in the spirit of annihilation, uh, if you had to, what would uh you say was your favorite mistake?

SPEAKER_01 25:12

Uh you know, I don't know if I have a favorite. I make lots of mistakes in this job. Um I I've learned to laugh at myself a lot. Uh one of the things, and we had a speaker present on this recently, and I've done this throughout my career, is I ask a question that I really don't want to know the answer to. So if a kid is doing something and going off and just having really, and I say, Are you upset? And then I hear, well, well, heck yeah, I'm upset. And you know, so sometimes I've done that in a job, like I've asked a question that I I really I know the answer. I don't want you to repeat that answer. Why did I ask that question? Um, so sometimes I've caught myself doing that. Like I ask kind of a question that that's silly, Christy. You know the answer to the question.

SPEAKER_00 25:51

I with I withdraw that motion or the question. Correct.

SPEAKER_01 25:54

So um, but I make a lot of mistakes and I've learned to laugh at most of them, they are things that you can laugh at yourself over and just move on. Um again, I think anything big, it's not just me. I'm running it through many layers of teams to make sure we didn't miss anything. But yeah, those are that's just daily. I think I make mistakes and have to laugh a little bit and then regroup and fix it.

SPEAKER_00 26:16

Wait a minute, you're human?

SPEAKER_01 26:17

I am yes, very much so.

SPEAKER_00 26:18

I can't we'll get that out of your own. Okay, this so this is a two-sided question. Um, answer one or one or the other, answer both, or do you want to answer any? Um what's the best advice you've ever received? That's one side of it. The other uh side of that question is what advice does someone give you that you ignored? So to your better men or peril.

SPEAKER_01 26:43

Don't read the comments was something I was told when I came into the superintendency. Um, you know, and we post, let's go back to the calamity day. We post that we're in session, see you soon, and there are 349 comments. And getting down that rabbit hole. Now, I'll be honest, sometimes I peek at a couple and then I just stop. Um, my communications director is amazing, and she filters those and sometimes sends me, like, you really need to see this one, but you can really get yourself in a rabbit hole that's not very positive when you go through all those comments. So I think that's really good advice to any leader is you know, you've got to make a decision, you've got to stick with your decision, and don't get in the weeds of reading the comments on social media.

SPEAKER_00 27:23

Right.

SPEAKER_01 27:24

Um, I was told early on in leadership, this was something I guess I probably didn't listen to, and I think I'm okay not listening to it, but you know, don't get too too close to your staff. Your staff are not your friends, don't share about your personal life. I mean, you hear some of that in leadership, and I just disagree with that. I think this job's about relationships. And if I share about my daughter or my new grandbaby or my son and and they're sharing, I think that's okay. And I think being friendly is okay. We don't have to be going out and hanging out every weekend, but being friendly with your staff is a positive. Um, and I know different leaders have different styles, but I think building that rapport with staff and building relationships has been important. And I I don't think that I would, you know, if I had that advice today, I still think it's okay to be friendly with your staff and build that rapport.

SPEAKER_00 28:12

Well, probably speaking on behalf of every teacher and every principal that uh since you ignored that, they thank you for ignoring that right.

SPEAKER_01 28:20

Well, yeah, I think it you know, but but you've probably heard it as a leader yourself, like just don't get close. And I think I don't know, I think we have a lot of that in life where we're just not getting close to people, and I think you just learn about people and you learn some good things, you learn what people are going through and maybe why something happened, and um, there's more empathy when you do know somebody or maybe what's happening in their life, and I I think it's a good thing. And I'm pretty open and honest with my staff about things that are going on with me, and I think that's okay.

SPEAKER_00 28:45

Christy, I read somewhere where you really enjoy traveling.

SPEAKER_01 28:48

I do.

SPEAKER_00 28:49

What does experiencing going to different places and experiencing different cultures, what does that do for you?

SPEAKER_01 28:58

Well, I just think I I like I enjoy the planning and the travel and the shutting down, like all of that is my mental wellness. Like, hey, you know, I summer's coming up. What kind of vacation do I want to take? And what can we afford? And and getting my family, I think it's all to me about experiences with my family. And several years ago, we stopped buying Christmas gifts from my family. And so what we do is we do experiences. And when I say traveling, it doesn't have to be all these exotic places. But you know, last winter we went to Frankenmouth, Michigan for a couple nights and did the fun things there. And just I think experiences um are important to me and providing those for my children. And I now have a six weeks old brand grandbaby, so I just want to keep doing that for him. But I think providing those experiences to my kids and my family is just it's more important than stuff, and I think we've really switched in our lives from stuff to experiences.

SPEAKER_00 29:52

Wonderful. Um, a a book, it could be hardcover or audio, because I need to do audiobooks, that has really left a lasting impression on you.

SPEAKER_01 30:02

Twenty years ago, I don't even know how I was introduced to the book, but I read The Fred Factor. I don't know if you've ever read it, and it's probably 110 pages. It's such like you could probably read it in a night. And it was just impactful. I ended up buying it for my whole staff back when I was the principal at Jackman. And it just talked about, he was a mail carrier, postal carrier, and it his name was Fred, and he really just did his job to the best of his ability, and he gave 110%, and he just cared about people. And it just talked about, you know, he had all kinds of options. He could throw the mail in the box, he could do this, but he'd knock on the door and go the extra mile. And it really just, I think in life, every job that I've had, I do try to give 100%. And is it perfect? No, but I do think it's important. Whatever job you have in Washington local, it's important. And so if you're giving 100% fret factor, um, that's all that's all we can ask from you. Um, and I think that's resonated with me. It's a really good and quick read. I would recommend anyone reading it.

SPEAKER_00 31:02

So great recommendation. Yep. All right, school of rock. Are you ready to go?

SPEAKER_01 31:07

I well, I am. Okay, I love music, so go ahead.

SPEAKER_00 31:11

It might be hard just naming one, so you can you can name others if you want. All right, a uh song that reminds you of high school.

SPEAKER_01 31:18

So this is I love music, 80s, 90s, uh rock, rap, back in the old school. I could sing lyrics to I'm a horrible singer, but I know lyrics to a lot of music. Um, and I just what reminds me of high school is Michael Jackson and Madonna. Really anything from me. I graduated in 1989 from high school, and that's kind of what I think about. I can't probably even pick one song, but anything Michael Jackson I had posters in my room and all those things, so yes.

SPEAKER_00 31:45

Uh what about a um artist, an album, or genre that you've listened to the most thus far?

SPEAKER_01 31:54

It's so hard. I again I go a lot to the 80s because that's how I grew up. Um, it's probably on a playlist when I'm doing something and I just want to listen to so old school, I I know words to lots of songs. Um I don't think I have a particular song.

SPEAKER_00 32:08

Got it. 80s, 90s.

SPEAKER_01 32:09

Yes, 80s, 90s for sure.

SPEAKER_00 32:11

Okay. What about you mentioned um singing voice might not be a strength, but if you were given an opportunity to do a karaoke song with within a circle of trust friends and family, what song would that be?

SPEAKER_01 32:24

So I've been convinced, you know, to do this before, and it's terrible. Um I'm just not a good singer. I love music, I love I know lyrics, but I I don't sing well. Um I really did it to summer nights from Greece, you know, the guy-girl kind of like back and forth. Um, I stood away from the microphone, so my voice wasn't, you know, heard too loudly, but that's the only song I think I've ever really karaoked to.

SPEAKER_00 32:47

Got it. Okay. Uh what about a memorable concert experience?

SPEAKER_01 32:51

So we go back to experiences a couple years ago um for the holidays, we didn't do gifts and we went to Las Vegas and saw the Eagles in the sphere. And it was the most amazing concert. I first of all the Eagles again are just amazing, sing along and to see them in the sphere, which it it was great. My daughter and son-in-law really didn't know the Eagles. I have a 19-year-old son who's really into classic rock, so he he could sing every word. Um, but you couldn't go there and not appreciate that concert. And it was by far the best concert I've ever been to.

SPEAKER_00 33:27

Did they do some Joe Walsh songs?

SPEAKER_01 33:28

Yeah. Oh, he was there. He sang, yes, he was he's still going, still rocking. Mm-hmm. He is.

SPEAKER_00 33:34

Oh, that's wonderful.

SPEAKER_01 33:35

So that was by far the best concert.

SPEAKER_00 33:38

Uh fifth one, what what song has had the greatest influence on your life?

SPEAKER_01 33:43

So I used to have this as a ringtone in my phone many years ago when they we you first could put songs as ringtones, and it was Kenny Chesie Chesney, never wanted nothing more. And it was really just about, you know, you're happy with what you have and not needing more. And I think that's sometimes a good reminder in life, like just to be humble and happy with what we have. And so that's probably one of my just good go-tos being happy with what you have and not needing much more.

SPEAKER_00 34:08

Very cool. Last one, you know, when you come into a meeting, school board meeting, or go into a school or a classroom, it seems like a song should start blaring. So, what would your walk-up song be?

SPEAKER_01 34:19

Um, I have a couple. I I'm a fan of like the ACDC Back in Black. I just feel like that's a really good intro. And I also MM lose yourself, kind of that's a really good intro. So I feel like that could be playing in the background, you know, to really give me that power when I walk in. Those are a couple classics for me.

SPEAKER_00 34:35

You can play that back in black when you go see your treasurer, right?

SPEAKER_01 34:38

I right, yes. Yes. So no, those are probably my two walk-up songs.

SPEAKER_00 34:43

Great ones. All right, this uh let's finish up with some big life themed questions, all right? Chrissy, what gives you hope?

SPEAKER_01 34:54

I think kids. Um it's easy from a distance to look at kids and be frustrated or concerned about the future, but kids are resilient, they're caring, they're accepting. Um I was this week downtown at our city council because we had two boys that are seniors in high school that came out of their house either because there was a car accident on Douglas Road and saved a man from his car that was catching on fire, and they were honored at City Council. This just happened about a month ago, they were honored. Like that takes a lot, and I think we don't always give kids the credit, but I get to see those things and hear those stories day in and day out, and I think our kids do give me hope.

SPEAKER_00 35:34

Yeah, uh, what are you most grateful for?

SPEAKER_01 35:39

Family. I think I I mentioned that. I think I couldn't do this job without family. I've had a very my whole career, I'm away from my family sometimes. And that's um our family grew up attending Washington Local sports and activities and events. You know, we went to the musicals, we go to concerts, we go to football games, and um my family's known that life, and I appreciate that. They my both my kids started in kindergarten and went through the district, so it's just what they know. Um, my husband went to Washington Local and he coaches here, and um not all families want that to be their social life, but it really was ours and still is ours, and I think my family appreciates that, and I I'm blessed that they've always kind of done that, and my husband's been able to do things so I can do this job, and it's it's been a good um, I guess, collaboration. And then I guess washing look over the com the opportunities I've had. Again, I never set out to be a superintendent. I set out because I really just wanted to to be helpful and make a difference, and I I I'm a fixer and and here I am. So I think the opportunities I that have you know come in front of me and the board has trusted me, I I appreciate that.

SPEAKER_00 36:47

Before you ask you this last question, uh the when did it come in focus for you that you wanted to be the superintendent?

SPEAKER_01 36:55

So when I was the assistant superintendent, I had said if I retired from that position, I would be good, fine. I enjoyed the job. So I never needed to be the superintendent. Um when my predecessor told me in April that she was leaving, that's when it came in. I'm like, oh, that could be me. So um, and you know, I think you have doubt. And she of course tried to reassure me, but you doubt yourself because I wasn't planning or prepping. I was very happy with my job and I was very happy with our district leadership, and I I would have absolutely finished my career that way. Um, but that spring when she said she's leaving, I'm I'm next man up. And I also don't want to leave that to chance. If I didn't throw my hat in the ring or didn't have that interest, then who? And there's fabulous leaders out there, but I this is Washington Local's been my family for 24 years, and I just needed to make sure I took the helm if that's what everybody had um for me and and just really kind of worked hard to to make this job um, I guess, the best that it can be.

SPEAKER_00 37:59

All right, last question. Uh how do you want to be remembered?

SPEAKER_01 38:05

I I've said this in lots of positions, but I I really try to leave every job better than I found it. Um and I found jobs that are great. I found every building I went to great, and I always wanted to leave it a little better. So I hope that I'm remembered for leaving Washington Local a little better than when I came into it. Um I hope I'm remembered because I was a good communicator and kind to people. Um and I I hope I'm remembered because I I thought like a parent and really tried to make good decisions for kids. So yeah, I think that's great legacy. That's it.

SPEAKER_00 38:40

Well, Christy Martin, this has been uh wonderful and uh thank you for being so genuine and candid here in this conversation, but more importantly, just thank you for bringing the human touch to an incredibly brutally tough job. And you um lead with humanity, which is really, really uh impressive for all of us to that have been in your shoes and those that know how difficult it is uh in public education, education everywhere. So thank you for showing us the way.

SPEAKER_01 39:12

Thank you for the kind words, and thanks for having me on our uh our own.