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Donors Empower Future Teachers

By Hannah Notess | Photos by Luke Rutan

Ian Adair, executive director of the Martinez Foundation; Amber Frazier; Karen Harris, education director of the Martinez Foundation; Ricky Dos Remedios.(Left to right) Ian Adair, executive director of the Martinez Foundation; Amber Frazier; Karen Harris, education director of the Martinez Foundation; Ricky Dos Remedios.


The Martinez Foundation, founded by Seattle Mariners legend Edgar Martinez and his wife, Holli Beeler Martinez ’91, supports teacher education in Washington state. Its new partnership with Seattle Pacific University came about in part thanks to the enthusiasm of donors Bill and Sabra Reichardt.

Donors Sabra and Bill Reichardt meet Martinez Fellow Ricky Dos Remedios.(Left to right) Donors Sabra and Bill Reichardt meet Martinez Fellow Ricky Dos Remedios.

When the Reichardts read the Spring 2012 issue of Response, which focused on improving K–12 education, they contacted development officer Jennifer Cooley Perrow ’90, asking how they could support teachers-to-be. Perrow noted a kinship between the Reichardts’ interest and the Martinez Foundation’s goals and made the connection with SPU’s School of Education. The Reichardts have been impressed with the intensive preparation for teachers in training provided by the Martinez Foundation and Seattle Pacific.

“They’re taking high-quality people and preparing them to teach in areas where there’s a lot of room for improvement,” Bill says. “We want to play a small part in that.”