GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) -- Jessica Schwarz's path to leadership at Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School began amidst the volcanic landscapes of Hawaii.
"I started off as a wildlife biologist," Schwarz explained. "While working for the National Park Service, school groups would come to visit the park while I was doing my research. And the rest is history. I just fell in love with working with students and knew that my calling was in education."
Schwarz’s transition from wildlife biology to education took her to the classroom, where she began teaching middle school science on the Big Island of Hawaii before moving to Colorado. Now, as she steps into her role as principal at Cesar E. Chavez Elementary, she reflects on the journey that led her back to her home state of Michigan.
"It is so wonderful to be back in Michigan," she said. "There's a familiarity and a sense of community here."
Her teaching philosophy is shaped by her journey.
"Having come from a research background and working as a science teacher, it was the hands-on, project-based learning that just fired me up," Schwarz shared.
Schwarz knows that Cesar E. Chavez Elementary is special. She is determined to foster a learning culture that embraces and celebrates diversity, recognizing the unique skills and assets each person brings to the table.
"We're really lucky here at Chavez because a good majority of staff and students are bilingual, and I view that as a superpower. I feel like I've hit the jackpot being here at Chavez. I really hope that I can do my absolute best work in service of the community and that by the end of the year, I've met their expectations as principal here."
