30 Years of Impact Generational Change Support Inspiration
SUSAN PARK
Martinez Fellowship | Cohort 7
English Language Arts
Everett High School
Building Community Through Teaching
For Susan Park, teaching is about helping students find their voices and seeing the power of their own stories. A Korean American educator entering her eleventh year of teaching English Language Arts at Everett High School, Susan has dedicated her career to creating classrooms where students from different backgrounds can learn from one another, build empathy, and feel empowered to be their authentic selves.
Although teaching was not originally part of her plan, Susan grew up surrounded by educators who inspired her.
I grew up with great teachers who made me think, 'I want to do what you do, and make it my own.'
During college, she realized education was where she belonged. She loved literature, writing, and watching students grow from writing simple sentences to developing essays, stories, and confidence in their own ideas. Today, she continues to work by creating a classroom where students can share experiences, develop a love of reading and writing, and build meaningful connections with one another.
During college, she realized education was where she belonged. She loved literature, writing, and watching students grow from writing simple sentences to developing essays, stories, and confidence in their own ideas. Today, she continues to work by creating a classroom where students can share experiences, develop a love of reading and writing, and build meaningful connections with one another.
Finding Community Through the Martinez Fellowship
When Susan began her graduate studies through University of Washington’s STEP program in 2015, she was seeking support, scholarships, and opportunities aligned with her values. The Martinez Fellowship offered all those things, and it also provided something she did not know she needed: a community.
As an educator of color working within predominantly white educational spaces, Susan quickly discovered the importance of having a network of colleagues who shared similar experiences, philosophies, and goals.
To be in that space together has been not only refreshing but really healing.
The annual Martinez Fellowship Summit became a source of renewal, inspiration, and connection. Each year, Susan left feeling energized by the opportunity to engage with educators who understood both the challenges and joys of the work.
Every year I attended, I left loving being an educator even more.
The Power of a Network
One of the greatest gifts of the Martinez Fellowship has been its network.
For Susan, teaching can sometimes be an isolating profession. Educators often spend entire days with students while having little opportunity to connect with other adults who truly understand the realities of the work. The Fellowship created a space where she could find both practical support and personal connection.
Whether she needed project ideas, professional development opportunities, encouragement, or simply someone who understood her experiences without requiring explanation, the Fellowship community was there.
That network also helped launch her career. Through connections made during the Fellowship, Susan met district leaders, school administrators, and human resources professionals across multiple districts. Those relationships ultimately helped open the door to her current role at Everett High School.
Today, she credits much of her professional success to the community and support she found through the Fellowship.
Sustaining the Work
Susan is candid about one of the greatest challenges facing educators of color: burnout.
Navigating systems that were not designed with students and educators of color in mind can be exhausting. For Susan, having a supportive network of colleagues who understand those realities has been essential to sustaining her passion and purpose in education.
At the same time, she continues to draw inspiration from her students, her colleagues, and especially younger educators entering the profession.
After talking with them, I remember how much I still love teaching.
Looking Ahead
As she continues her career, Susan hopes to support the next generation of educators in meaningful ways. She believes mentorship should be more than simply offering advice. Instead, she hopes to create reciprocal relationships where educators can learn from and support one another throughout their careers.
Advice for Future Fellows
Susan's advice is simple: Do not do this work alone.
Build relationships. Ask questions. Lean on your network. The people around you can provide support, wisdom, and encouragement when you need it most.
For Susan, the Martinez Fellowship has always been about more than professional development. It has been about belonging, connection, and the power of community to sustain educators throughout their careers.
Generational Change in Action
Susan's story demonstrates the ripple effect of investing in educators. Through the Martinez Fellowship, she found a network that supported her growth, strengthened her leadership, and helped sustain her commitment to students.
Today, she continues that cycle by creating classrooms where students can discover their voices, share their stories, and build connections with one another. Through her work, the impact of the Fellowship extends far beyond a single educator, reaching every student whose life is shaped by her teaching.
