
Donna C. Martinez, Ed.D and owner of Abalone Bay
Hi there, I’m excited you’d like to know more about me! I’m Dona Martinez, Owner of Sea Ranch Abalone Bay, an Oceanfront vacation rental.
I along with my husband, Jorge Martinez, have offered our home as a vacation rental since 2013.
I’d love for you to learn more about me and my family. We have always had a love affair with the “Mendonoma Coast“, otherwise known as the coastline from Sonoma County to Mendocino County.
A World Traveler
I truly love to travel far and wide. Our family has done most of our travel as USA expats working on international projects. But we also enjoy exploring new places on holiday. After eight wonderful years living in Santiago, Chile, we have returned to the USA.
And after a joyful yet too short a stay at Abalone Bay, we have returned to our current home in northern Virginia.
Other places we have been to include Spain, our family’s homeland; Colombia, the birthplace of my son; Peru to visit Machu Picchu; Budapest, Hungary; Paris and the Bahamas.
Recent Work
While living in Santiago, Chile, I worked as an International Education Consultant.
I am also a seasoned education professional with 15 years of broad experience in education that includes grant management, research, writing, teaching, and presenting at conferences in both Spanish and English.
I have served as consultant for various disability support foundations in Santiago, Chile, and the National Director of Servico Nacional de la Discapacidad (SENADIS). Dr. Donna Martinez is especially interested in project management, higher education and instruction especially in the field of education.
Chile
About me and life in Chile: Prior to my arrival to Chile, I worked at The George Washington University where served as Director of The GW HEATH Resource Center authoring teaching modules for transitioning youth and families, teaching both youth and preservice teachers, consulting on grant projects, supporting families seeking improved educational supports/services for their children, and advocating for improved policies and legislation at the national, state, and local levels.
Education
About me and my education: I earned my doctorate from The George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development in special education – with honors. Her undergraduate study at the California University at Sacramento was in cultural anthropology.
Other Work
I frequently collaborate with others in the education, transition and disability fields. She presents at conferences and participates in invited workshops and summits. Dr. Martinez has instructed in the Master’s of Arts Teacher Education Program and served as project director in the development of an online teacher quality and education assessment tool. Her leadership roles include serving on and chairing national, state, and local committees and boards.