Marlen Martinez has been selected as the new principal of Chávez High School.

Martinez is a product of HISD and has served the district as a teacher, magnet coordinator, assistant principal, and principal. Her seven-year tenure as a building principal includes serving the communities of Lewis Elementary School and most recently Ortiz Middle School. One of Martinez’s biggest achievements has been shepherding Lewis Elementary School out of Improvement Requirement (IR) status to meeting state standard. In November 2018, she was awarded the Excellence in Leadership Award for her continued success. During her leadership at Ortiz Middle School, she not only focused on building a strong academic program, but also an exceptional performing and fine arts program that provides her students with a variety of opportunities.

Martinez earned her bachelor’s degree at Texas State University and her master’s degree from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.