Meet Humberto Martinez

Humberto Martinez experienced no hesitation about switching from a career in the financial industry into education. He got his start as a dean in April, 2022 for the Collegiate Institute for Math and Science located in Bronx, New York through a substitute placement with Smart Start Education. He is continuing his work as a dean this year for The Marie Curie School for Medicine, Nursing and Health Professions while also employed as a talent acquisition specialist for SmartStart. 

He began his career in fiancé after graduating with a bachelor of business administration degree from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. Humberto’s background includes working with large financial firms including The Bank of New York Mellon, JP Morgan and Lone Pine Capital, LLC.

Why a Career Shift:  

Martinez said he made the career shift, because he felt unfulfilled in corporate life where and wanted an opportunity where he could utilize his skills and background to make an impact on others. “There is so much more to life than just money, getting ahead and material things,” said Martinez.

First Educator Experience: 

After his first experience working with students Martinez was glad he’d made the choice to reassess his life goals during the pandemic. He stated that one of those most important aspects of the job was handling discipline issues. His goal for those students was to help them understand that high school isn’t a joke and that their behavioral issues were not only detrimental to themselves but to others as well. “My goal was to try to raise the bar,” he said. “I want the students to understand they can achieve anything they want, but they have to clean up their behavior, to focus and to realize the opportunity they have in their hands.”

Martinez said he is thankful for opportunity to explore his purpose of developing and mentoring young students through their high school years. He uses his work ethic, shaped by corporate America, as an asset to inspire students to work hard and be accountable.

Talent Acquistion Specialist Role:

In his talent acquisition specialist role at SmartStart, Martinez said he looks candidates show enthusiasm and a level of commitment, because he believes those traits are important when working with students, parents and other staff members. He said he enjoys looking for educators to hire, because it allows him the opportunity to help people maneuver into a new career path as he did, and to provide a way for those who left the profession a way to get back into the classroom and inspire students.

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