Israel “Buddy” Martinez Jr. is the proud principal of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School in McAllen, Texas. In 2000, Buddy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Baylor University. He would go on to complete his master’s degree in Educational Leadership in August 2012 from The University of Texas Pan American, and is expected to complete his Ed. D. in Educational Leadership in May of 2021.

Buddy has been in education for 18 years and will be starting his 2nd year as principal of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School. Over the past 18 years, he has worked as a coach, teacher, senior-level leader, and administrator in both the traditional and charter school system, but he considers his greatest role to be an advocate for children. Buddy’s desire to do Christ’s work is what led him to being a principal of a Catholic school. Buddy believes that being the leader of a Catholic school is a vocation and a calling. His passion for leading adults and children is what drives him daily - most significantly, his vocation and dedication to being a servant leader, and a teacher and mentor to our youth through spiritual awareness, guidance, education, and discipline.

Buddy has been married to his wife, Lucy Martinez, D.D.S. for 12 years, and has four children, Benjamin Martinez (graduate of St. Mary’s University in SA and now graduate student at the University of the Incarnate Word), Jenna Martinez (Freshman at Texas State University in San Marcos, Class of 2024), Buddy James is a 6th grader at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School, and Madison is a 3rd grader at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School.

Learn more about Buddy in his mentor spotlight featured on the ACE blog.