Grand Rapids — Derrick Martin’s desire to be a leader with Grand Rapids Public Schools was ignited decades ago when he was a student in the district.
When Martin, the new principal of Innovation Central High School, was a senior at the very school he now leads — then Grand Rapids Central High — he ran for a seat on the Board of Education. He didn’t win, but the experience set him on a path he’s followed to this day.
An interest in politics and civic involvement drove Martin to seek the seat. In high school, he was president of the citywide student council, served on the superintendent’s leadership committee and spent two years as a student representative to the board. He knew he wanted to be part of the solution for public schools.
“I saw a need, or a desire, to really have some improvements in Grand Rapids Public Schools at that time: better services, more quality education,” Martin said. “Some of those things we’re still working on today.”
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Martin also nurtured a passion for art as a student, at Coit — then Vandenberg Creative Arts Academy — and Northeast Middle School before attending Central.
Now at the helm of his alma mater, Martin is excited for the year ahead, which he began in the newly renovated school.
Read on to learn more about the new principal.
‘Everything I’ve done since I’ve been 18 has involved young people.’
— Innovation Central Principal Derrick Martin
Other positions in education: Martin has had many education-adjacent jobs. He was an after-school tutor at the Washington Writers’ Academy in Kalamazoo, a tutor/counselor and program advisor with Grand Valley State University’s Upward Bound program and he worked with the Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center.
Martin then moved on to a special-education parapro position at Kentwood Public Schools before becoming a residential crisis counselor and campus supervisor at Wedgwood Christian Services. While at Wedgwood, he also did some long-term substitute teaching.
Martin also taught summer school at Godwin Heights Public Schools. After earning his teaching certificate, he taught grades 6-12 at Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy for about five years before becoming the assistant principal at Innovation Central.
What about jobs outside education? “Everything I’ve done since I’ve been 18 has involved young people. We’re looking at 26 years now of working with young adults and adolescents. … That’s pretty much been all the work I’ve ever done, other than working at the grocery store when I was in high school.”
Education/degrees:
- Bachelor of Science from Grand Valley State University
- Master of Education from Davenport University
- Graduate certification in leadership with a school administrator certificate
- Teaching endorsement in English
What book, movie, TV show or podcast have you loved lately? “I’m a news junkie, and I’m really a politics news junkie. … That’s what you’ll catch me watching at home.”
Martin said he checks the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Detroit Free Press, Washington Post and LA Times every day.
“News is my thing, and politics and current events are really where my interest lies,” he said, jovially adding that he knows “most people hate it.”
What historical figure would you love to spend the day with? “It would have to be between Malcolm X or Dr. Martin Luther King. Two dynamic people who had very different stories in terms of their upbringing, but very similar life stories in terms of their activism.”
Name three great things about going into K-12 education: “The number one thing is having that opportunity to have an impact on someone’s life — particularly a young person — and being able to shape and mold and watch them grow … into an adult and really prosper based on something that you may have said or done. I think that’s a great honor and great responsibility. …
“Another important piece is helping students be successful, not just in high school but once they leave here. … Giving them the tools and skills we know they’re going to need in what can be a pretty harsh world sometimes. But also giving them the skills to do whatever it is in life that they want to do. …
“And, to be honest, it’s about watching them walk across that stage when they (graduate).”
How will you encourage student voice in your building? “When I was here (as a student), there were adults who gave me a lot of voice, so I would like to do the same with my students as well, and give them an opportunity to really have a part in running their school. That’s what is extremely important to me this year — getting back to robust activities, clubs and programs that really help motivate kids to come to school. …
“One thing we want to do is have strong student organizations such as our student councils. … I want to ensure that those organizations are supported and that they have the resources they need to really be able to enact and do the things they want to do.”
Read more from Grand Rapids:
• Partnership between district and church creates opportunity in the arts
• Healthcare leaders ask students for ideas, solutions
