Jamestown C-1 hires new principal

<p>Democrat photo/Kaden Quinn</p><p>Jamestown C-1 School’s new principal, Ralph Martin, prepares for the 2021-22 school year. Martin joins Jamestown with a 22-year career in education under his belt.</p>

Democrat photo/Kaden Quinn

Jamestown C-1 School’s new principal, Ralph Martin, prepares for the 2021-22 school year. Martin joins Jamestown with a 22-year career in education under his belt.

There will be a new building principal taking the helm in Jamestown this fall.

Jamestown C-1 has hired Ralph Martin to begin his new position as principal for the 2021-22 school year. With a 22-year career in education under his belt, Martin said he would like the community to know that he is someone who's dedicated to teaching students and creating collaborative efforts with faculty.

When he began college in 1988 at what is now Missouri State University, Martin said he planned to become a business major and to eventually work on Wall Street. However, he said early on, he found that education was a career path that was always in the back of his mind.

"In the second semester, I decided that (education) was the route that I wanted to go," Martin told the Democrat. "It was one of those things where I had a few of my teachers when I was in high school and seeing how they interacted with other students, how well they did with them, and the difference that they made in their kids' lives - I thought maybe I could do the same thing."

Martin said he wanted to take his career to the next level after finishing his administration degree. After looking for jobs at different schools, he said Jamestown was at the top of his list to apply to and that he was very fortunate to see the principal position open.

As the new school year draws closer, Martin said he is very excited to begin his work.

"I had passed my administrative tests and the position had kind of opened up," Martin said. "I was lucky enough to get an interview and even more lucky enough to get the job. I'm looking forward to the new challenge. After being on one side of the educational field, as an educator, and coming into the situation as administrator, what I'm truly excited about this year is probably getting to know the educators and students here. Seeing how I can best help with whatever they needthat's what really excites me about this."

According to Martin, what he enjoys the most about being an educator is the "Aha!" moment that students experience whenever they begin to understand their schoolwork. He said regardless of the subject or difficulty of the work, as soon as students recognize what they're trying to grasp, their improvement is inevitable.

He said this has helped create strong relationships with students and faculty. As he starts his new job as principal of Jamestown, Martin said he hopes to have his perspective meld with what is already taking place at the school.

According to Martin, Jamestown already has a great academic status regarding test scores and attendance, and he said he would only like to bring an open mind to his new staff, faculty and students.

"I'm a central Missouri guy; I love it here and I plan to retire from here," Martin said. "You're going to get somebody who's dedicated to their job, loves the learning aspect, loves the teaching aspect and loves collaborating with his peers and his teachers. What (the community is) going to get with me is a guy who's a straight-shooter who really enjoys his work."