Stratford hires new dean/AD
The Stratford Board of Education voted, 3-0, at a special meeting on May 31 to hire Craig Martens of Mosinee as its new dean of students/ activities director for the 2022/23 school year. School board members Chris Dickinson, Jeannie Tichy and Kitty Guyer attended the special meeting.
Martens replaces Travis Grubbs, who resigned from the position to become the new Rib Lake schools superintendent. Martens has a familiarity working with Dr. Nathan Lehman in the Mosinee School District. Dr. Lehman was the Mosinee High School principal before becoming the new Stratford schools superintendent in place of Scott Winch, who is retiring at the end of this month after working the past 18 years in Stratford.
Dr. Lehman said Martens is currently a math instructor who teaches AP calculus, algebra and integrated math in the Mosinee School District. Martens also is Mosinee High School’s head football and track coach.
“He has had a lot of success in the classroom building positive relationships, engaging students, expecting excellence and helping each student reach their full potential,” Dr. Lehman said about Martens. “The hiring committee was very impressed with his ability to focus on helping each individual student find their ‘WHY,’ his ability to build positive relationships with all students and his motivational approach to helping students when they struggle.”
Dr. Lehman also spoke highly about Marten’s coaching skills.
“On a coaching basis, Craig (Martens) has elevated a football and track program at Mosinee High School by improving numbers as well as success,” Dr. Lehman said.
“His ability to make sports fun and work with each individual athlete to reach their personal best has helped Mosinee track win back-to-back conference championships in girls track, and conference championships for boys track and football in 2021.
He was selected coach of the year in the Great Northern Conference for the last two years in track as well as in football during the 2021 season.”
