Evergreen Staff Spotlight

🌟 Celebrating the People Who Make Our Schools Work 🌟

Meet Jessica Vandersteen – Principal, Arborg Early Middle School

For the past ten years, Jessica Vandersteen has dedicated her career to ensuring every student receives the education and care they deserve. From her early days as a classroom teacher, to her work in Resource and Student Services, to her current role as principal of Arborg Early Middle School, Jessica’s journey has always been guided by a simple truth: every child deserves the best support, no matter their abilities.

Inspired by the passionate teachers she had growing up, Jessica knew she wanted to follow in their footsteps. “My teachers’ passion for teaching and helping others inspired me,” she says. “I was also passionate about coaching, working with children, and creating meaningful programming for them.”

While her role is rewarding, Jessica notes that much of it happens behind the scenes. “My brain has a hard time shutting off because I’m always reflecting on how to best support both students and staff,” she explains. “There is a great deal of behind-the-scenes planning to ensure our school days run smoothly.”

What Jessica loves most about Evergreen is the community. “The staff here are supportive, caring, dedicated, and collaborative, which makes coming to work each day something I look forward to.”

She wants the public to know that educators are much more than teachers delivering curriculum. “They are mentors, supporters, and advocates for students. At the heart of it all, we share the common goal of helping students become the very best version of themselves in every aspect of their lives.”

Thank you, Jessica, for your leadership, vision, and unwavering dedication to students and staff at Arborg Early Middle School.
 
Interviewed by and pictured with trustee Penny Helgason