Born and raised in Cleveland, Jess knew from an early age that she wanted to be a teacher, inspired by her grandmother’s passion and dedication to the profession. A lifelong learner herself, Jess’s path to education was shaped by pivotal moments early on: a middle school experience that revealed the limits placed on her educational opportunities, and a first encounter with racism in high school that made clear how differently she was perceived because of the color of her skin. These experiences didn’t discourage her—they fueled her resolve to become an educator who could change that reality for the students who came after her.
Jess holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Ohio University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from John Carroll University. Outside the classroom, she enjoys taking and teaching dance classes and spending time with her family.