United Independent School District is proud to announce the appointment of Joshua A. Martinez as the new Director of Fine Arts.

Martinez brings 17 years of experience in music education and Fine Arts leadership to the position. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a commitment to student achievement, educator development, program growth, and creating meaningful opportunities for students through the Fine Arts.

He has been a proud member of the United I.S.D. family since 2009. Martinez began his career as an Assistant Band Director at United South High School, where he served for seven years before being named the Director of Bands at John B. Alexander High School in 2016.

During his tenure at Alexander High School, Martinez helped lead the program to unprecedented levels of achievement while developing one of the largest and most successful Fine Arts organizations in South Texas.

Under his direction, the Alexander High School Band grew to over 350 students and expanded into a comprehensive music program consisting of the state-ranked Outdoor Performance Ensemble and Dazzler Elite Dance Company, four concert ensembles, two state-ranked color guard programs within Texas Color Guard Circuit (T.C.G.C.) -Avant Guard A and Avant Guard B- the state-ranked Percussion Theater, and the Blue Jazz Winds.

The program’s concert ensembles consistently pushed the threshold of expectation, with the top three ensembles performing Grade 5 literature while continuing to achieve success at the UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation. Each organization experienced continued growth and achievement, with the Alexander Band program consistently earning the UIL Sweepstakes Award annually throughout Martinez’s tenure as Director of Bands.

The Alexander Outdoor Performance Ensemble became a three-time Bands of America South Texas Regional Champion, four-time UIL Area G Champion, and seven-time UIL State Marching Contest participant. In addition to its marching achievements, the program earned recognition as a Mark of Excellence National Winner, Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) 6A Honor Band Semifinalist, and UIL State Wind Ensemble Festival participant, further establishing Alexander High School as a leader in music education at the local, state, and national levels.

Beyond competitive success, Martinez has remained focused on the true purpose of Fine Arts education- building our students into well-rounded future leaders.

“The Fine Arts have always been about so much more than performances, ratings, trophies, or awards. Those moments celebrate the work, but they do not define the purpose,” Martinez said. “The true power of the Fine Arts is their ability to develop discipline, confidence, creativity, resilience, leadership, and ultimately help students become the best versions of themselves.”

As Director of Fine Arts, Martinez looks forward to continuing the proud traditions of United I.S.D. while supporting growth and innovation across all Fine Arts programs. His vision centers on collaboration among educators, expanding opportunities for students, and ensuring Fine Arts continue to serve as an essential part of the educational experience.

“I am extremely humbled and grateful for this opportunity to serve the students, educators, families, and UISD community,” Martinez added. “My goal is to continue advocating for all areas of Fine Arts while working alongside our incredible educators to continue Building the Future through the Art of Fine Arts Education.”

Martinez is a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, and a 2005 graduate of Tuloso-Midway High School. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2009 and continued his educational journey by earning his Master of Music Education degree also from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2012. Martinez later earned his Principal Certification in 2019, further preparing him for expanded leadership roles in education.

Outside of his professional career, Martinez credits the constant support of his family, friends, mentors, colleagues, and students for shaping the educator and leader he is today. He believes every season of life provides opportunities for growth and continues to approach education with a commitment to service and excellence.

As he begins this next chapter, Martinez is focused on supporting the outstanding Fine Arts programs across United I.S.D. His mission remains centered on creating opportunities, honoring the district's rich traditions, and empowering both students and educators to become the very best versions of themselves.