Mrs. Marin is known not only for her leadership within GHS but also for her commitment to success. Now in her fourth year at Graham High School, she continues to make a lasting impact as both an instructional leader and a strong support system for staff, students, and parents.
Mrs. Marin’s journey in education has taken her through many roles. Before becoming assistant principal at GHS, she served as the assistant principal at Graham Junior High School for two and a half years. She also worked as an elementary curriculum coordinator, instructional coach, and spent seven years as a classroom teacher from first grade through high school. “I feel like I’ve graduated over the years,”
Interestingly, Mrs. Marin didn’t always plan on being in education. She earned a degree in health administration from Southwest Texas University with plans to become a nurse. However, after realizing she didn’t enjoy being around blood, she changed paths. After graduation, she got married, and she took a job in El Paso, Texas, teaching English to students whose first language was Spanish. Her roots in education run deep. Her mother taught for 40 years, her father taught biology at Tarleton State University after retiring from ranching, and her grandmother was also an educator. Though as a child, she didn’t plan on following in their footsteps, she eventually did.
At GHS, Mrs. Marin handles a wide range of responsibilities. As a behavior coordinator, she manages discipline and student conduct. She also oversees attendance and supports extracurricular activities. “I’m a mom to 700 kids,” she jokes, though the love and support she brings to her role are very real. One of her biggest challenges is helping students understand what success looks like, because it’s different for everyone. “Sometimes students’ goals don’t align, and that can be hard,” she says. “I want students to succeed, whatever that means for them.” Because her role includes handling discipline, it can be difficult for students to see her as more than an authority figure. That’s why she focuses on relationship-building every day. “I want students to know I’m here for them. I want the best for every single one.” Her advice for students is simple but influential: “Just do the work. No one really wants to do hard things, even as adults. But if you show up and put in the effort, it usually pays off.”
Looking ahead, Mrs. Marin’s goal is for Graham High School to continue growing. “Graham High School is an ‘A’ school,” she says proudly. “We want to help students not just graduate, but self-actualize and create a path for their future.”
Beyond her career, Mrs. Marin is a devoted wife and mother to three children. While her role at Graham High School is important, everyone should know she is much more than just her title. Next time you see Mrs. Marin, say hi!
