FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- A civilian pilot-in-training recently arrived at Fort Rucker to oversee the education of some Army Aviators' children.
Cynthia Martone became the Fort Rucker Primary School principal in August after spending four and a half years working as an educational adviser in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
She said she's excited to be at the home of Army Aviation, and share her love of flying with military pilots and their children. The principal is half way through completing her private fixed-wing pilot's license, training on Cessna 172s.
"I'm surrounded by Aviators, so I've got to finish my pilot's license," she said.
While visiting her hometown of Erie, Pa., earlier this year, on vacation from her work in the Middle East, Martone was asked by Department of Defense staff to consider returning to the U.S. permanently. She said transferring here was an easy decision.
"I love the South. The people and the beauty around this area (are) lovely," she said.
Martone's former positions included working as an elementary and middle school teacher in Augusta, Ga., and Erie, Pa.; principal in the Alaskan Eskimo villages of Kokhanok and Pedro Bay; and principal of a Rochester, N.Y., primary school. She's also spent time in New Zealand, Australia and England.
Martone said she believes her international career enables her to relate to military children, many of whom move around the country and world due to their parents' careers.
In addition to flying, Martone has a passion for writing and photography.
Her fascination with practicing a variety of skills translates into providing diverse experiences for her pre-kindergarten to first grade students.
"I love to do everything and I want to provide an environment where people can take chances," Martone said. "I have an insatiable desire to learn. That learning has provided me with the experiences of which most people would only dream."
One of Martone's planned upgrades involves installing several computer-based fixed-wing flight simulators in the school soon. She said the idea came from her time in Alaska, where she traveled by air between the two remote schools she oversaw.
Martone used the simulator technology to teach Eskimo students math and physics in an exciting, fresh and relative way.
"Everywhere we had to go we had to call an airplane. I (tried) to bring real life experiences and (explain) why education impacts real life," she said.
She said she has always loved children and wanted to work in a youth-related atmosphere.
"They have such a love of learning. They're real. There's no hidden agenda with children," Martone said.
After a successful 2009-2010 school year, with the primary school receiving high school accreditation marks, Martone plans to uphold the school's elevated standards.
"We're going to soar (this school year)," she said.
Part of continuing a successful school legacy is establishing strong relationships with her teachers and staff, who say they're excited to kick off the school year with a fresh start.
"She brings a vast amount of experience from a number of different areas," said Steven Nelsen, educational technologist. "I look forward to what we can do this year. I believe we're going to grow."
He said he hopes to incorporate new digital experiences into the student's education, utilizing Martone's photography experience to teach the children to use cameras and update the school's Web site with new graphics.
Martone's positive attitude brings a new energy to the primary school, said Pat Maxwell, office automation clerk.
"(She will) push staff to make the school greater," Maxwell said. "She's very upbeat (and will be) an asset to the school system."
One of Martone's goals is to give teachers more liberty to expand their programs and try new teaching methods.
One educator said she looks forward to helping her students take advantage of new experiences.
"She is very energetic and (has) a lot of ideas to help the children reach their higher goals," said Brenda Forti, gifted education teacher. "She won't be satisfied unless every child reaches his (or her) maximum potential. From everything we've heard and seen, she will do her utmost to support teachers in their endeavors and freedom to try new things."
Martone holds degrees in education at the bachelor's and master's levels, with certification in elementary and secondary school administration, from Edinboro University, Edinboro, Pa.
Social Sharing