Welcome to Ms. Martinez’s Criminal Justice class. I am looking forward to this school year and I hope you are as well.
I graduated from Brackenridge High School in 1992. I attended St. Mary’s University and graduated with a Public Justice degree (Criminal Justice) in 1997. Upon graduation, I was recruited by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services Department – Office of Inspector General as a Special Agent. I worked as one of four female undercover operatives in the state combating individuals and businesses engaging in welfare fraud. While working full-time, I continued my pursuit in higher education and received my Masters of Justice Administration degree from St. Mary’s University in 2001. In 2007, I obtained a contract with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services which allowed me to conduct home-studies of perspective families wanting to provide protective and loving homes for foster, kinship and/or adoptive children. From 2008-2012, I served as an On-Call Advocate for the Rape Crisis Center for Women, Children and Men. In 2012, began my journey in pursuing a degree in Counseling and Education while teaching as an Adjunct Professor at St. Mary’s University.
In 2015, I began my journey as a high school teacher at Edison High School. This is my fifth year at Edison High School! I am also the Criminal Justice Practicum Instructor for the senior class. In addition, I am the dual credit instructor. Our Criminal Justice students have an opportunity to earn up to 6 hours of Criminal Justice college credit. I am the Co-Advisor of the Edison Criminal Justice Explorer Team. We are proud of the Criminal Justice Explorer Program which is one of the most competitive posts in the city and has been awarded several high ranking placements in regional and state competitions!