MEET THE ASPIRE TEAM

At Aspire we value all our team members. Our staff comes to Aspire with a desire to serve our students and are dedicated to the organization’s mission. They are focused on walking alongside our students from the beginning of their journey to the end. This month we meet Jessica Martinez who is our new Career Pathways Coodinator.

Name: Jessica Martinez, M.S.

Position at Aspire: Career Pathways Coordinator

• What is your background? Family growing up. Where are you from? Have you lived in different cities?

I was born in El Paso, Texas, and raised in Mexico. My entire family resides in Mexico.

• Growing up, what did you do for fun, and hobbies? Do you have any hobbies now?

One of my major hobbies is creating art. I am a painter and work with mediums such as acrylic, watercolors, pastels, and oils.

• Did you go to university or college? Field of study?

I hold a B.A in Psychology from the University of Texas at El Paso; a Master of Science in Sociology from Texas A&M University, and currently, I am a doctoral student at Southern Methodist University focusing on a multidisciplinary track.

• What was your first job? Other jobs, current or past?

My first job was making crepes at a mall food court. I was also a waitress in college. After finishing my master’s, I have been in the non-profit field as a social worker, educator, and trainer. I did work for Indeed for a contract period as a corporate hiring specialist.

         FUN FACTS

• Favorite quote:

“You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star” -Friedrich Nietzsche

• Your top 3 favorite Podcasts/Books:

1. Borderlands/La Frontera by Gloria Anzaldua
2. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
3. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

• Your top 3 favorite movies or television shows:

Schitt’s Creek

Grace and Frankie

Movie: Like Water for Chocolate

        WORKING AT ASPIRE

• When did you begin working for Aspire (LIFT or ABERG)?

December 2021

• What do you like best about working at Aspire?

I love working with a team that believes in our community of color and works hard every day to provide them with better opportunities.

• What makes you the proudest of our students?

I am proud of our community’s resilience and perseverance to keep moving forward in a world that makes it so difficult.

• What do you hope for our students?

My hope is that they keep learning and striving forward in their journeys and continue to break generational cycles of poverty and trauma.

Important Dates

• April 2022
   National Volunteer Month

• 05-02-2022 - 05-08-2022
   Children's Book Week

• 05-05-2022
   Cinco de Mayo

• 05-26-2022
   Last Day of Spring Classes

• 05-30-2022
   Memorial Day

• October 2022
   Legacy of Literacy Breakfast

Help Aspire serve more students by making a tax-deductible donation today.