The entire student body gathered inside the gym at Ocean Studies Charter School. Somehow, 180 students from grades K-8 managed to stay quiet and keep the surprise under wraps.
“You all did a great job keeping a secret. She has no idea what’s happening, and that’s really great,” said Jon Shoffstall, Ocean Studies principal.
The “she” that Shoffstall referred to is Jessica Martinez, the school’s assistant principal. Known as Ms. Jessica to her students, she had no idea that she was about to receive a prestigious honor, being named a Champion School Leader by the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools.
“There might be a handful, but it’s usually less than that across the entire state each year, so it’s very selective and very well-deserved,” said Shoffstall.
Surprising Martinez required a bit of creativity.
“Jon said we had a water leak in this building, so I rushed over to figure out how we could fix it immediately,” she explained.
The moment Martinez opened the door, the students shouted, “Surprise!” and thunderous applause erupted.
KELLIE BUTLER FARRELL/Keys Weekly
Ocean Studies office coordinator Tracy Malden played a key role in planning the secret awards ceremony, also contacting Martinez’s husband John to ensure he was there for the big reveal.
“I’ve never met anyone more deserving of an award than Ms. Jessica. She works tirelessly to make Ocean Studies the amazing school that it is, and for that, we are so grateful,” said Malden.
“It was very surprising to have all the students cheering, the teachers here, seeing my husband, seeing the board members. Our whole loving community was suddenly in the same room cheering,” said a clearly emotional Martinez.
Martinez began working at Ocean Studies as a first- and second-grade teacher in 2013, when her son entered kindergarten at the Key Largo-based charter school. After five years, she became assistant principal, a role she has held for seven and a half years.
During the award ceremony, Shoffstall read from the nomination letter.
“She works tirelessly to ensure that students, staff and families have a positive, welcoming and supportive experience,” said Shoffstall. “Simply put, if something happens at Ocean Studies, Ms. Jessica has likely played a role.”
Martinez was quick to emphasize that the award is a result of teamwork.
“It’s because of the team,” she said. “It’s because of our parents, our community, the Upper Keys, the kids, the teachers — everyone who helps us, all the partners we work with. It’s really a team effort.”
As the students returned to class following the awards ceremony, they exchanged hugs and fist bumps with Martinez.
“I’ve got a connection to each one of them in some way,” she said.
For Martinez, this was a wonderful way to conclude another successful school year.
“In two weeks, we’ll wrap up another growth year,” she said. “Our kids are doing amazing. The school is thriving, enrollment’s high, and everyone’s happy and healthy. I can’t ask for much more.”
