Former Germantown teacher returns in superintendent role

Martin Son    A familiar face will be returning to take over the superintendent role at Germantown Elementary School starting July 1.
    Martin Son, a former teacher at Germantown, was hired as the new superintendent. He takes over for Robin Becker, who had spent 16 years as the superintendent at Germantown.
    Son has been in education for 15 years, spending seven years in Kentucky and the last eight years in Illinois. Most of his career has been in middle school mathematics, and he taught for 12 years before moving into administration.
    Son taught at Germantown Elementary School from 2018-2020 before accepting the principal position at Brownstown Elementary School, where he served from 2020-2023. His time at Brownstown gave him valuable experience in school leadership, curriculum development, student support systems, and working closely with staff and families.
    In 2023, his father entered the later stages of Alzheimer's disease, so Son needed more flexibility to support his family during that time. Much of that period involved traveling back and forth between Illinois and western Kentucky. Returning to the classroom allowed him to continue doing what he loved while also being present for his family.
    Most recently, Son taught sixth grade mathematics at Roxana Junior High School and served as the head boys varsity soccer coach at Roxana High School during the 2025 season. After his dad passed away in 2024, his passion had always drawn him back to the school leadership.
    Son has coached high school soccer for 15 years, including eight years as a varsity head coach. Outside of education, he has spent five summers working at a residential camp in upstate New York, serving in a leadership role during his final two summers.
    Son officially takes over as Germantown superintendent on July 1.
    "One thing that has made the transition easier is the opportunity to work alongside Robin Becker throughout the summer," Son said. "Robin and I will continue collaborating during July before she officially retires. Having that opportunity to learn from her experience and knowledge of the district has been extremely valuable and will help ensure a smooth transition for students, staff, and the community."
    Son said Germantown played a major role in shaping him as an educator and leader. Prior to coming to Germantown in 2018, he taught at Murray Middle School in Kentucky, which is a high-performing school. They had strong academic results and he had opportunities to present at state conferences and serve on district leadership teams. At the time, Son thought he had a good understanding of what successful schools looked like.
    When he arrived at Germantown, Son realized there was something special there. The focus on students wasn't just happening in individual classrooms, it was part of the culture of the entire school. Students were known, supported, challenged, and encouraged to grow. Staff worked together, and decisions consistently centered around what was best for kids.
    "While I was here, I was encouraged to grow professionally and was given the opportunity to serve as an administrative intern," Son said. "Many of the ideas, systems, and beliefs I learned at Germantown were things I later implemented at Brownstown. They helped shape my success as a first-year principal and continue to influence how I lead today. Because of that, returning to Germantown means a great deal to me. Robin Becker has built an outstanding legacy, and Germantown has developed a reputation for educational excellence, strong relationships, and putting students first. Those are things worth protecting and building upon."
    Son's wife, Cheryl, grew up in Trenton and much of her family still lives in Clinton County. He said being able to serve a community that has been important to their family makes the superintendent opportunity even more meaningful.
    Son said one of his biggest goals as superintendent is making the leadership transition as smooth as possible. Germantown has a strong culture, talented staff, supportive families, and a long history of success. His goal is to listen, learn, and work with others to continue building on that foundation.
    Another major priority is tornado recovery. A tornado hit the school on April 27. Son wants to make sure repairs are completed responsibly and efficiently while minimizing disruptions to students and staff. The district currently is working through insurance assessments and planning for repairs that include roofing, structural work, HVAC units, windows, gutters, and several other areas impacted by the storm.
    "The board and administration have a responsibility to make sure those repairs are completed and that we fully understand the financial impact of the tornado before making additional major capital commitments," Son said.
    The gym project is another important priority. He said the community has invested a tremendous amount of time, effort and financial support into that vision, and he understands how much it means to many people.
    "The gym project remains part of the district's long-term vision," Son said. "Right now, our focus is on addressing the tornado damage responsibly, protecting the district's financial stability, and making sure we have a clear understanding of available resources. Once we have more clarity regarding the recovery process, we will be in a better position to determine the next steps for the gym project. I know how much the project means to this community, and I am committed to working with the board and community to keep moving that vision forward in a responsible manner."
    Most importantly, Son wants his first year to be focused on relationships. He wants to spend time listening to staff, students, families, and community members so that future decisions reflect the values and priorities of the people we serve.
    "I want to continue serving students, staff, and families with the same high standards that have helped make Germantown successful," Son said. "I want to continue supporting the great things already happening while looking for opportunities to improve and grow."
    Since being hired as superintendent, Son has participated in monthly leadership meetings with Becker, Trisha Weekley and Kristine Beer. Those meetings have helped him gain a deeper understanding of district policies, current initiatives and the systems that make Germantown successful. He has attended board meetings, spent time in the building, and looked for opportunities to connect with staff, students and community members.
    Son said Becker has been a mentor since he first arrived at Germantown in 2018. She has always been encouraging and willing to share advice, whether he was a classroom teacher, an administrative intern, a principal in another district, or now preparing to become superintendent.
    "One thing that has stood out to me is how intentional the transition process has been," Son said. "The leadership team clearly put a great deal of thought into preparing for this transition long before a successor was selected. That preparation has made a tremendous difference. I have felt welcomed by the staff, students, board members, and community throughout this process. Currently, Robin and I are sharing an office and working together daily throughout June and July. I am very thankful for the support and guidance she has provided."