udAfter 30 years, longtime Baldwin High School coach and PE teacher Susie Martin is retiring.

After retirement, she plans to make her family and grandchildren her first priority. Martin would like to travel and wants to compete in the senior Olympics. She would also like to volunteer for the NCAA with her daughter Ann.

There are many things Martin will miss about BHS, but what she will miss the most is all the kids she has helped throughout her 30 years of teaching.

“It is so rewarding to see former students and hearing about all of their successes,” Martin said.

Longtime football coach Mike Berg co-taught with coach Martin for many years.

“I had a blast teaching with coach Martin,” Berg said. “She has always kept herself in top physical condition to lead her classes by example. Mrs. Martin is an excellent athlete, who demonstrated the technique and skills of the sports she taught to her students. She set the bar high for her students and wanted to see improvement in them each and every day. I can’t tell you how many sports and activities that coach Martin was involved in at BHS. She did so much behind the scenes, was visible to her students and was always their biggest fan. Baldwin High School is going to miss her.”

Over the years, Martin has coached softball, basketball and volleyball, tennis and track. Her greatest memory from BHS is when the girl’s basketball team won state this season.

“I will always appreciate the knowledge and passion she brought in her role as a teacher and coach,” BHS principal Rob McKim said. “She has been an integral part of our staff here for quite a few years and we will miss the wellness guidance and tough love she provided for the BHS community.”

Not only will the teaching staff miss her but also all the kids she has helped along the way. She has helped many students that weren’t athletes have fun and enjoy the physical activity along with encouraging 100% effort to be given in her classes.

“Martin has helped me to enjoy working out and she has made gym and weights more fun,” sophomore Sarah Rayburn said. “I will definitely miss her smile, jokes and her never ending positivity in the weight room.”

Many people only know Coach Martin as a coach and teacher but she does many other things behind the scenes. She was involved in NHS, Letterman’s Club, and served as a class sponsor. She took part in leading the efforts in painting the BHS cafeteria and also in the fund-raising for the walls in the BHS gym.