Kelly Jackson Approved As Next Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
Wilmette Public Schools District 39 is pleased to announce Kelly Jackson, current Highcrest Middle School Principal and D39 Administrator for Social Emotional Learning and Family Engagement, as D39’s next Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. Jackson was approved at this morning’s Board of Education Committee of the Whole and will be charged with directing the long-term planning of the educational program to provide for the future educational needs of the community.
“I am extremely grateful to have been selected as District 39’s next Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction,” said Jackson. “My passion lies in guiding the students of Wilmette and helping them develop, grow, and find their path to future success. During my time in the district, I have worked to positively affect students as both a teacher and school administrator, and I am looking forward to continuing that work in my new role. I am extremely grateful to the supportive Highcrest community and am looking forward to continuing to support their success.”
Jackson brings nearly 25 years as a District 39 educator to this important role. She began her D39 tenure as a K-8 Spanish teacher before assuming the role of Curriculum Coordinator in 2005. During her four years in that position, she led curriculum development and implementation. In 2009, Jackson made the transition to school administration, serving four years as a Grade Level Administrator at Wilmette Junior High School before taking over the helm as Principal of Cherokee Elementary School in Lake Forest. Jackson returned to D39 in 2015 as Principal of Highcrest and WJHS, leading the implementation of standards-based grading at HMS, serving as an administrator on the English Language Arts Curriculum Review Committee, and co-leading the World Language Curriculum Review Committee.
In 2021, Jackson transitioned to her current position as Highcrest Middle School Principal and District Administrator for Social Emotional Learning and Family Engagement. In this position, Jackson has led Highcrest’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) team in working to improve student support services and the problem-solving process at HMS and co-led the effort of the Grades 5-8 Scheduling Committee in designing a new school schedule that will be implemented starting next Fall. Additionally, as D39 Administrator for SEL and Family Engagement, she has helped implement social-emotional learning across all grade levels (K-8), organized District-wide training in Responsive Classroom, an evidence-based approach to teaching that creates safe, joyful, and engaging classrooms, and co-led D39 efforts to improve school culture and climate with an emphasis on enriching our learning community’s sense of belonging.
“I am thrilled to recommend Kelly Jackson as our new Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction,” said Dr. Kari Cremascoli, Superintendent. “Kelly embodies our D39 values of strong communication, effective collaboration, clear vision, and educating to the mission of District 39 and brings a wealth of experience to this new position. Our students have grown tremendously in recent years as have our institutional practices and collaboration, and we are all eager to expand upon these successes in the coming years”
Jackson will continue in her current role through June 30 before transitioning to her new position and District 39 will immediately begin the critical work of finding the next principal of Highcrest Middle School.
Wilmette Public Schools District 39 serves approximately 3,200 students in PreK-8th grade throughout Wilmette and in parts of Glenview. A District 39 education engages, empowers, and inspires its students to lead academically successful, socially responsible, compassionate, and purposeful lives. District 39 is committed to providing a safe and equitable learning environment that fosters a mindset of empathy, respect and belonging for all students and staff.