Ron Martin is an Eau Claire social studies teacher who has 20 years of direct classroom experience with students, primarily in seventh and eighth grade, but also in the alternative high school/off-campus program. A longtime Student Council advisor and Altoona head volleyball coach, he has also served as a new teacher mentor and union leader. He previously served as the Wisconsin Education Association Council vice president and secretary-treasurer and is past-president of the Eau Claire Association of Educators and formerly a director on the National Education Association board.
As president, Martin focuses on uniting Wisconsin Public School educators so they are better able to advocate for students. He has a special interest in building the education professions through outreach to new educators and education support professionals, and strengthening local education unions.
As the first Native American president of Wisconsin’s largest union of educators, he is a champion of inclusion and acceptance, advising the Where Everybody Belongs program at his school and serving on national panels. Martin also represents Wisconsin educators on state and national coalitions for school safety, diversity and restorative justice. His classroom management workshops are highly sought after by educators at all stages of their careers, who credit his humor and real-world experience for making the training relevant.
Martin has directed faith-based youth programs and ministries and was a member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Eau Claire United Way. He is president of the Eau Claire Patriotic Council and active in the local American Legion and the Sons of the American Legion Post 53-Eau Claire.