By Larissa Martins, LSI Communications Intern

Dr. Ana H. Marty knew she wanted to hit the ground running when she joined the Learning Systems Institute (LSI) in 2017. She was excited about the opportunity to expand her role as a literacy specialist by taking on international projects for the first time in her career.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Dr. Marty worked as a faculty member at the University of Puerto Rico for thirteen years before moving to the U.S. to get her Ph.D. at Florida State. She then developed literacy assessments for minority-language preschool children at the Florida Center for Reading Research for eight years.

For her first international project with LSI, Dr. Marty joined Dr. Adrienne Barnes-Story and Dr. Marion Fesmire in Nigeria, which opened several other doors for her to continue working in the country. Her next project took place in the Northeastern region of Nigeria, where she conducted teacher trainings and helped develop curriculum for after-school programs. After that project, LSI teamed up with UNICEF to develop curriculum for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-grade levels in the local language (Kanuri), which paved the way for an opportunity to work with the University of Maiduguri.

"Something I really like about my job is it's very dynamic, it's always changing— it gives me the freedom to be creative and do different things," said Dr. Marty.

Dr. Marty loves how LSI allows her to create her own path and work on projects she is enthusiastic about, such as research partnerships with universities. Currently, she is doing participatory action research for professional development in the Philippines. She was there just a few weeks ago and enjoyed leading a one-week-long research methods class.

"I love teaching, I come from a family of teachers, and I've always been a teacher," said Dr. Marty. "The process of sharing knowledge is my passion."

Additionally, Dr. Marty is devising ways to strengthen the practicum in colleges of education in Rwanda, Zambia, and Malawi, in collaboration with local stakeholders. She mentions how her work is different every day, and each project is enjoyable, whether writing proposals, developing curriculum, delivering training, collecting data, or collaborating with teachers.

Being someone who works in various countries, Dr. Marty emphasizes the importance of being sensitive and respectful of different contexts like traditions, biases, cultures, and religious practices. She also says a fundamental part of these projects is assessing the following question: "What is in the system, and what needs to be done to make a significant impact and a sustainable change?"

Dr. Marty spends an average of six weeks at a time during each international trip. Although enduring long flights can be tiring, meeting people, embracing new cultures, and trying local food make the experience worthwhile.

She states, "Travelling can be hard, but when I'm there in the country working with the people, it is very rewarding. I always come home with my heart full."

Throughout her constant travels, Dr. Marty has acquired a few traditions. She always brings home a Christmas tree ornament and coffee from each country she visits, and she always tries to bring something from FSU, such as t-shirts, to give to people that closely collaborate with the FSU team. Additionally, she makes sure to set aside some time for herself while she's abroad. Her favorite memories include seeing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat in Rwanda and witnessing the majestic beauty of Victoria Falls in Zambia.

Ultimately, Dr. Marty's favorite aspect of her job is connecting with people globally while simultaneously impacting educational systems.  

"The best part is knowing that we are making a difference beyond FSU walls, knowing that we are impacting people and improving education, ultimately benefitting the lives of the students and the country," said Dr. Marty.