Jonathan Martin has twelve years experience as an independent school leader; first as the Director of Maybeck High School (1996-1999) in Berkeley, California, and most recently as the Head of NAIS member Saklan Valley School, a PS-8 co-ed day school in Moraga, California.

Prior to becoming a school head, Jonathan was a teacher of High School History, Social Studies, and English; he also held a Dean of Students type role for six years at Maybeck prior to becoming its Director.

 Jonathan holds degrees from Harvard University, (B.A., cum laude in General Studies, concentration in Government; class of 1988); Starr King School for the Ministry (M.Div., Unitarian ministry preparation); and the Education School of the University of San Francisco (M.A., Private School Administration).   Jonathan's own pre-collegiate education was at two outstanding East Coast independent schools, Milton Academy and Sidwell Friends School (graduated 1984).

As Head of Saklan, Jonathan had many accomplishments, including the school's purchase and renovation of its long-rented campus, a purchase made possible by a successful capital campaign; the school's re-accreditation by both CAIS and WASC for a maximum length term; the school's acceptance into the membership of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS); the growth of the school's enrollment by approximately 30%; the preparation and implementation of two five-year Strategic Plans; and the development/implementation of new or enhanced curricular programs in outdoor and experiential education; global and diversity education; Mandarin; and integrated technology education and a pilot 1-1 laptop program.

Recent honors/accomplishments for Jonathan include selection as a Klingenstein Visiting Fellow at Columbia University Teachers College, where he spent two weeks in colloquium with 18 other experienced school heads and mentored graduate students in educational administration; selection as the Rotarian of the Year by the Moraga Rotary Club; and service as the Chair of the joint WASC/CAIS accreditation visiting committee for the Oaks School in Hollywood, California.

Jonathan is married to Carman Ryken, who has 8 years experience as a Math teacher, including six at the Head Royce School in Oakland, California, where she also did interim stints as Freshman and Sophomore Class Dean.  They have two children, Spencer (b. 1998) and Nate (b. 2002).

Among civic activities in recent years are the following: Board membership and major project chairmanship, Rotary Club; host family for Rotary International exchange students; alumni undergraduate admissions interviewer for Harvard University;  Head Soccer Coach, boys soccer grades 1-4.

Favorite activities include sailing and sailboat racing, bicycling, hiking, cooking and reading.

Click below for: 

C.V. 

Educational Philosophy 

Selected Writings 

Letters of Recommendation 

Blog