We are proud to publish this guest post by the team at Sí Se Puede Schools at Ogden Elementary, a partnership school in SAISD Choice Schools, about offering high quality education to the community.
Sí Se Puede Schools (formerly Relay Labs Schools) entered Ogden Elementary in 2018 to create a turnaround school. They successfully pulled Ogden school out of IR (Improvement Required). Since then, Ogden has become a school committed to providing high-quality education and reaching the community, as documented in this story in The 74. Ogden Elementary is currently an SAISD Choice School.
What is Sí Se Puede Schools?
Sí Se Puede Schools is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to partner with urban public school districts to create and manage neighborhood schools that prepare all students to enter, succeed in, and graduate from college.
Sí Se Puede School Framework
The Sí Se Puede School Framework specializes in the professional development of teachers and school leaders. Through rigorous coaching sessions and the utilization of Bellwether strategies, SSPS creates customized educational systems using compiled data to achieve student outcomes. The organization is dedicated to driving continuous improvement and ensuring academic excellence for all students.
Charter Moms Chats
Watch Nicanora Martinez, Principal at Ogden Elementary, Ixchell González, Executive Director of Sí Se Puede Schools, Irma Mares, Assistant Principal at Ogden Elementary, and Jennifer Greathouse, Administrator Intern at Sí Se Puede Schools at Storm Elementary, speak with Inga Cotton on Charter Moms Chats on April 16, 2024 at 4:00 PM Central live on Facebook and YouTube.
Nicanora Martinez is the Principal of Ogden Elementary. Mrs. Martinez is a seasoned educator and administrator with a passion for fostering community and academic excellence. With a background in bilingual education and curriculum coordination, she has demonstrated her leadership abilities in various capacities within San Antonio ISD. Mrs. Martinez excels in coaching teachers, leveraging data-driven strategies, and cultivating a culture of academic rigor. A cum laude graduate of Our Lady of the Lake University, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Bilingual Education, along with Master’s degrees in Organizational Leadership and Business Administration. Mrs. Martinez is currently pursuing her PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Committed to equitable education, she strives to transform schools by empowering scholars and promoting inclusive learning environments.
Ixchell González is the Executive Director of Sí Se Puede Schools, management partner of Ogden Elementary. Ms. González brings extensive educational leadership to her role. Raised in Cuernavaca, Morelos, México, and San Antonio, Texas, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from St. Mary’s University and a Master of Educational Leadership degree from Our Lady of the Lake University. A co-founder of the Hispanic Youth Leaders Organization, she completed prestigious leadership programs at Harvard University and the National Hispana Leadership Institute. With experience as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, she champions youth empowerment and community engagement. She contributes to organizations like the National Hispanic Institute and Borussia Dortmund Soccer League. As a founding partner of the OCI Group, she drives positive change. Ogden Elementary benefits from her visionary leadership and dedication to educational excellence.
Irma Mares is an Assistant Principal at Ogden Elementary. Mrs. Mares has been in education for over 20 years. She has served the community in various roles, including as a Bilingual Teacher, Intervention Specialist, SAISD ELL District Coach, campus Instructional Coach, Managing Director of ELAR Instruction, and currently serves as a campus Assistant Principal. Mrs. Mares graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, earned a Master’s in Bilingual Education, and is currently pursuing her Doctorate degree. Having a passion for teaching and learning, Mrs. Mares is eager to support Ogden’s young scholars in their education. She is committed to serving all students, making every effort to prepare them for success, believing that all students deserve a quality education.
Jennifer Greathouse is currently an Administrator Intern at Sí Se Puede Schools at Storm Elementary and is pursuing her master’s degree in educational leadership. Prior to her role as an administrator intern, she taught for 10 years from first grade to third grade. She is passionate about observing students grow and learn, and being a part of that journey for students and parents alike. Mrs. Greathouse believes in setting high expectations for all because she knows they are all capable of reaching the goals that are set. She is excited about her new opportunity as an administrator because her focus is now on adults teaching students in the classroom. This position opens doors for her to reach more children in and around the community. Jennifer will be joining Ogden’s administration for the 2024–25 school year.
Read More About Sí Se Puede and SAISD Partnership Schools
- “Guide to International Baccalaureate in SAISD Choice Schools,” Matt Weber, San Antonio Charter Moms, January 18, 2024
- “SAISD Enrollment Guide for Choice Schools in 2024–25,” San Antonio Charter Moms, December 13, 2023
- “Teacher Tales: Jefferson High School International Baccalaureate World School in San Antonio ISD,” Ralf Halderman and Chris Stanley, San Antonio Charter Moms, November 18, 2020
- “From Troubled School to Turnaround to Texas ‘Teaching Lab,’” Emily Langhorne, 74, October 2, 2018
- “SAISD’s Big Picture: Superintendent Pedro Martinez and the System of Great Schools Model,” Inga Cotton, San Antonio Charter Moms, June 6, 2018
- “Meet Relay Lab Schools, SAISD’s Third Partner Under SB 1882,” Bekah McNeel, San Antonio Charter Moms, May 12, 2018
