Who was Martha Nye?

Martha Nye "Friend and Counselor"

Martha Nye

Martha Nye was born in Minnesota in 1877. She attended Winona Normal School, the University of Minnesota, the University of California and San Diego State College. She served as a teacher in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota and in Grafton, North Dakota. From 1910-1918 she served as a principal in Bakersfield, California.

Martha Nye was employed by the San Diego Unified School District from 1918 until her retirement in 1942. During those 24 years she served as the principal of Stockton Elementary School (now Martin Luther King Elementary). One of Miss Nye's contributions to the community was that she was able to keep families of many cultures and ethnicities working together for the common good of all. During national sugar rationing week she brought together one of the most efficient groups that assisted school teachers at that time, representing many races and beliefs.

Typical of her philosophy was her belief that joyous, wholesome outlets for emotions and energies of children and adults are worth more in keeping a neighborhood together than all the repressive measures ever taken. Miss Nye, according to her friends, was a chief factor in obtaining a playground program on the Stockton campus, with lights for night games. Every pupil's problem was her problem until she had done what she could to solve it, regardless of how long it took.

She was given an award from the Winona Normal School for her "outstanding contributions to society." After retiring, she engaged in voluntary hospital and military installation supply work for the Red Cross.

Miss Nye was an inspiration to all who knew her, and that spirit lives on at the school that bears her name

- Martha Nye Elementary School.

Martha Nye 1877-1962

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