A curated reading list from someone who has led schools, built teams, and solved real operational problems. These are the pieces Dr. Martinez returns to and recommends to the leaders she works with — organized by the themes that come up most in the field.
This list grows as the work evolves. The topics below represent the areas Dr. Martinez recommends reading most deeply. Check back as new selections are added — or listen to the podcast for real-time conversation on these themes.
When school leaders operate in chronic stress, the effects ripple outward to teachers, students, and families. Recommended reading on the systemic roots of burnout and what sustainable leadership actually looks like.
Master scheduling is one of the most complex operational challenges in education. Recommended reading on how waste-reduction principles from manufacturing can streamline one of the most time-intensive processes in school administration.
The most productive teams are not the ones that work the most hours — they are the ones that recover intentionally. Recommended reading on restorative practices backed by research.
External consultants often arrive with solutions in search of problems. Recommended reading on what distinguishes transformational consulting from performative change — and how organizations can tell the difference.
Continuous improvement does not require a new budget line or a year-long initiative. It requires a shift in mindset. Recommended reading for school leaders ready to begin.
True equity work must live inside the systems and structures of an organization — not only in its statements of intent. Recommended reading making the case for an operational approach to equity-centered leadership.
Reading is just the beginning. If something on this list resonates, let’s talk about what it looks like in your school or organization.