Meet Diego Martinez, our esteemed Dean of Five Points Academy. With a stellar background as a NASA-award-winning educator and a sixth-generation resident of San Luis Valley, Colorado, Diego embodies a profound commitment to education and innovation.
Diego's dedication to teaching transcends the classroom as he, alongside his wife Gail, also an educator, nurtures their three children in the pursuit of lifelong learning and growth. Leveraging his rich experience teaching in San Luis Valley public schools and at the Delphian School in Oregon, Diego has finely tuned his expertise in inspiring students to delve into the wonders of math and science.
Proudly descending from Ute Chief Ankatash, Diego embraces his Native American heritage as a wellspring of strength and inspiration, enriching our school community through his commitment to honoring ancestry and fostering cultural understanding.
Diego is not only an accomplished educator but also a published children's book author, penning "The Ugly Truckling, the Story of My Cybertruck." His early advocacy for electric cars and sustainable technology is evident in his design of solar hot water systems, his reservation for the first Tesla Model S #580, and his installation of the San Luis Valley’s inaugural grid-tied Photovoltaic system during his college years.
Diego designed and built his own solar-heated home in the SLV, demonstrating his commitment to sustainable living. In addition to his educational pursuits, Diego boasts a background in pilot educational training technology, exemplifying his innovative approach to integrating aviation technology into education to prepare students for future challenges and opportunities. His curriculum was a cornerstone of his NASA Alan Shepard Technology in Education award.
Beyond his leadership at Five Points Academy, Diego is a part of multiple organizations dedicated to revolutionizing education. His mantra, "Education is the inefficiency of the century, and it's screaming for innovation.” This drives his relentless pursuit of transformative change in the educational landscape. Diego's steadfast belief in unlocking the untapped potential of every student echoes in his profound question: "If we can routinely release the power of the atom, why can't we routinely release the power of students?"
Under Diego Martinez's visionary leadership, Five Points Academy transcends being merely a school—it stands as a beacon of inspiration, innovation, and boundless potential for every student who enters its doors.
A heartwarming and educational tale about a young girl discovering the true value of a modern marvel.
When a dad brings home a Cybertruck, his daughter is less than impressed. With its unconventional and futuristic appearance, the truck seems like an ugly duckling in a world of familiar cars...read more