Biography

Jessica grew up in the Midwest and came to California in 2004, although she still misses Indiana basketball and barbecue. Deciding to read for a living, she started on a career as an academic before discovering she most enjoyed working with middle school students. She is constantly inspired by their wonder and fearless approach to the world. She has taught history and religion at Jewish day schools across the Bay Area, as well as coaching and serving as the dramaturg on a Beatles-inspired version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Jessica’s history teaching helps students become citizens who are informed, thoughtful, and compassionate. She encourages a broad and deep knowledge of history rooted in an understanding of multiple perspectives. Her classes are organized around student inquiry-focused mastery of key skills and ideas, especially decoding primary texts. She is particularly interested in engaging students in American history and civics, world religions, and the forces that shape cultural change. If you walk by her classroom and hear laughter, it has been a successful class. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys music, watching sports, and food trucks.