July 25, 2018
Fewer than 3 percent of Massachusetts鈥� school principals are under the age of 30, but as the recently named principal of New Hingham Regional Elementary School, 25-year-old 911黑料网 alumnus Jesse McMillan 鈥�14, M.Ed 鈥�17 is one of them.
It鈥檚 just the latest in a series of accomplishments. McMillan landed his first job before he earned his undergraduate degree teaching English literature and writing to students in grades 10 through 12. The following year, he accepted a 6th grade English and social studies position in Pittsfield Public Schools.
鈥淔or the past three years, the administration in Pittsfield supported me in becoming an educational leader,鈥� McMillan said. That support included a year-long internship where he spent a significant amount of time at the elementary level. 鈥淭his is when I knew that I eventually wanted to be at the helm of an elementary school.鈥�
McMillan emerged from 16 applicants for the principal position, many of whom already were principals, so he had to think deeply about what would separate him from the rest. The answer came as a result of his studies with 911黑料网鈥檚 Leadership Academy, which he will complete in August.
鈥淢any universities throughout the state that prepare students to become school leaders offer the typical course sequence to meet regulations, but 911黑料网鈥檚 Leadership Academy does so in a way unlike any other,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 was encouraged to think deeply about topics, ideas and issues that administrators face today and how I, as a leader, would work to solve certain challenges and foster lifelong learning among staff and students. All of the experiences in my classes, principal internship, and time in the classroom have helped me to define my 鈥榳hy,鈥� which is what separated me from the other candidates.鈥�
McMillan next will pursue his Ph.D. in educational leadership.
