Jess Martinson

Master of Education in Counseling

Cleveland, MS

Jess Martinson dreams about elementary schools that honor childhood and support healthy, happy, empowered students. Her Social Entrepreneurship Project involves working as a school counselor, alongside a visionary school leader, to revamp the current systems and structures and create a school that prepares students academically, while still allowing them to be kids. 

Originally from Santa Barbara, CA, Jess has made her home in the Delta since she moved here to teach second grade, in Shaw, MS, in 2010. She is a graduate of Pepperdine University, and earned her Masters in Education Entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania in 2018. Jess is now pursuing a Masters in Counseling from Delta State University to better inform her vision of the holistic needs of children and equip her with the skills and access to realize that vision in local elementary schools. She currently works on staff for Teach For America as the Director of Elementary.