Little School That Could bids farewell to founder’s son

By Christine Bordelon, Clarion Herald
Photo by Brett Duke | COURTESY THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

The Martinez Kindergarten School in the 7th Ward of New Orleans, founded by Mildred Bernard Martinez, was known for educating young African-American students ages 3 to 5 who grew up to become doctors, lawyers and just about any profession imaginable.

The school operated until 2005, when Hurricane Katrina destroyed it. Yet its legacy continued through its many students and the Martinez family.

Its last principal, Numa Martinez, died in mid-October, closing the final chapter on a school that influenced  community leaders today.

“It had a great impact on kids,” said Mary Broussard, the former wife of Numa, who was Mildred’s son. “The students went out in every profession you could think of. They went to the best schools and were always on the honor roll. … When (Mildred) got her first kids, the kids grew up and then sent their children there. Generation after generation after generation came to that school. She lived to see a lot of kids come back to the school to visit.”

Some of the more famous graduates included former New Orleans Mayor Sidney Barthelemy, pollster Dr. Silas Lee and Dr. Sandra Robinson, a local pediatrician.

“My memory of the Martinez family is filled with fond thoughts of their commitment to the community they served and academic excellence,” Lee said. “Mildred, her children Numa, Josepha and Maurice (Martinez) always demonstrated an unyielding commitment to helping students fulfill their potential. I remember Numa for his wit, insight and compassion – a man who had the heart of a lion and the spirit of an angel.”

The school grew quickly

The school was founded in 1934 by Mildred Martinez, who was a public school teacher before she had children. It was during a time when women had to quit teaching once they became  moms, Broussard said.

Mildred Martinez skirted around that cultural norm because she wanted to dedicate her life to teaching and giving African American children opportunities for strong education, which would lead to a good life.

“She opened the school to give Maurice Jr. (her first child) a chance to learn, and she wanted to teach other children,” Broussard said. “She was a dedicated teacher.”

The first school was conducted out of her Uptown home on LaSalle Street. She was good at saving money, Broussard said, and was able to purchase three plots on North Roman Street in the 7th Ward, the school’s location until its closure.   

One plot had a rental house on it; another plot had a four-plex, one unit of which Mildred converted into her first classroom; and the third plot was the family home, Broussard said.

The school grew quickly and Maurice Sr., a tradesman and brick layer, built three additional buildings behind the properties for additional classroom space.

“She had so many students that she didn’t have enough room for them, so she added all those buildings,” Broussard said. “Miss Mildred loved teaching. That was her life. She loved educating young children so they would have a chance to get into the best schools, which they did.”

The school was known for its top-notch education, classroom discipline and feeding children, said Manolito Martinez, the founder’s grandson.

“Miss Mildred was a dedicated person,” Broussard  said, someone who wanted African American children to feel special. 

Having a belief that every child should have an opportunity to be on the big stage at least once in their lives, Mildred rented the Municipal Auditorium through the mid-’90s so her students – whom she called princes and princesses – could be honored on a court, Broussard said. Years later, graduations were held at St. Mary’s School.

Son was principal

Numa Martinez, the youngest child of Mildred and Maurice Sr., worked alongside his mother and Broussard at Martinez Kindergarten. He was a bus driver, maintenance man, teacher and eventually principal after his mother died in 1991. He earned a master’s degree in education and later a principal certification at Xavier University, Broussard said.

Hurricane Katrina took too much of a toll on school buildings, forcing Numa Martinez to close the school. He never lost hope to reopen until he died, Manolito Martinez said. “He tried to resurrect the school after Katrina, but the school was too far gone,” Manolito said.

His Mass of Christian burial was celebrated by Josephite Father Henry Davis at Numa’s lifelong parish of Corpus Christi-Epiphany Church, less than a mile from the school. He is buried at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3.

His sister, Josepha Weston, read the first reading, and his son, Manolito Martinez, read the second reading. Relatives Maria Boyance, Eva Martinez, Bianca Boyance and Sophia Martinez brought up the gifts.

In his funeral program, Numa was touted for his devout Catholic faith and love of God, for being a St. Augustine and Xavier University graduate and an Army veteran who enjoyed hunting and watching military and western movies.

His youngest daughter Sophia Martinez, who now lives in Texas, said it was a loving tribute to her father.

Christine Bordelon can be reached at cbordelon@clarionherald.org.