The Post Independent has hired a new full-time assistant editor.

Andrea Teres-Martinez was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and was raised in Boise, Idaho. She attended Boise State University, where she was editor-in-chief of the university newspaper, The Arbiter.

Teres-Martinez also interned as a reporter for the Idaho Statesman and, more recently, was a publishing editor intern for The Wall Street Journal in New York.

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Teres-Martinez is set to cover various beats across Western Garfield County, while putting the final touches on any story that comes across her desk.

The Post Independent recently sat down with Teres-Martinez and asked her a few questions. 

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You hail from Idaho but you recently interned at The Wall Street Journal in New York. Why come back West? Did you miss it here? 

A: I loved my time at The Wall Street Journal and working in the big city, but my love for journalism really lies at the local level and I knew I wasn’t ready to let go of that quite yet. On top of missing the mountains, I saw an opportunity with the Post Independent that would let me personally know the community I write for, as well as dive into the issues that matter to Western Garfield County. I love that I can still be close to Idaho, and that I still live next to the same Rocky Mountains I grew up with! 

What do you hope to learn and experience in your first year at the Post Independent? 

A: Journalism is all about the people, so I’m incredibly excited to get to know both the well-known and new faces of Garfield County. Even in my first week, I’ve enjoyed exploring this corner of Colorado and all the charm it has to offer. I look forward to building connections and becoming a trustworthy source for the readers of the Post Independent. 

How do you enjoy spending your time when you’re not at work? 

A: With so much news happening around me at any given time, it oftentimes feels like I’m always at work! But on those rare occasions when everything is calm and quiet, I love to browse libraries and bookstores for my next read. I also enjoy going for scenic walks, biking, and visiting museums and shops.  

What is it about journalism that made you choose it for a career? 

A: I never really considered journalism as a career growing up. I always knew I wanted to do something with writing, but I wasn’t sure what that was until my advisor in college suggested that I write for my university newspaper as an elective; and soon enough I ended up falling in love with the process and the impact of journalism. To me, journalism became the perfect mix between something I loved to do, and something that contributed to the needs of society. It’s hard work, but it’s incredibly rewarding. 

I understand you’re bilingual. Tell me about how you can use this skill as a benefit in community journalism. 

A: Back when I was an intern reporter in Idaho, I was sent on assignment to report on an event where almost everyone spoke Spanish. It wasn’t until after I’d conducted a few interviews that I realized what a privilege it was to be a bilingual reporter. I was able to give a voice to people in that story who otherwise might not have been able to contribute had they not encountered a Spanish-speaking reporter. With such a rich Spanish-speaking community in Colorado, bilingual reporters can help bridge the communication gap and provide a more balanced coverage of their communities.