Jessica Zisa
Rapid City,South Dakota
Summary
Collaborative educational leader with 20+ years of teaching and administrative experience advancing student achievement, strengthening school culture, and leading school improvement initiatives. Committed to building high-performing teams, fostering positive school culture, and ensuring every student has the support needed to succeed.
Overview
1
1
Certification
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Principal – Freshman Academy
Central High School
Rapid City, SD
01.2023 - Current
- Leads the Freshman Academy, serving approximately 550 ninth-grade students, while fostering a culture of high expectations, belonging, and student success.
- Supervises and evaluates 25 certified and classified staff and facilitates collaboration among 35 teachers and support staff to strengthen instruction and student outcomes.
- Leads implementation of MTSS, RTI and restorative practices, using academic, attendance, and behavioral data to develop targeted interventions.
- Launched innovative freshman transition and mentoring programs that strengthened student engagement and connectedness.
- Partners with families, counselors, and community stakeholders to remove barriers to learning and support continuous school improvement.
Dean of Students
South Park Elementary
Rapid City, SD
01.2020 - 01.2023
- Led implementation of schoolwide PBIS and restorative practices to strengthen school culture and student success.
- Coached teachers in behavior management and instructional support, enhancing their instructional practices and promoting student engagement.
- Developed targeted interventions using academic and behavioral data, collaborating with families to elevate student success and foster a supportive learning environment.
Reading Specialist
South Middle School
Rapid City, SD
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Delivered targeted literacy interventions and collaborated with staff to enhance student achievement outcomes.
- Participated in Building Leadership Team to drive school improvement initiatives and inform data-driven decision making.
Teacher & Administrative Intern
East Stroudsburg Area School District
East Stroudsburg, PA
01.2003 - 01.2019
- Demonstrated progressive leadership as an Administrative Intern, Grade-Level Team Leader, Reading Specialist, and Elementary Teacher, contributing to curriculum development, professional learning, instructional leadership, and school improvement.
Education
M.Ed. - Educational Leadership
East Stroudsburg University
East Stroudsburg, PA05-2017
M.Ed. - Education
East Stroudsburg University
East Stroudsburg, PA05-2009
B.S. - Elementary Education
University of New England
Biddeford, ME05-2000
Skills
- Instructional Leadership
- School Improvement
- Student Engagement
- Data Analysis
- Conflict Resolution
- Freshman transition
- Restorative Practices
- Staff Development
- PLC Leadership
- School Culture
- Family & Community Engagement
Certification
- South Dakota Instructional Administrator
- Pennsylvania Administrative I (PK–12)
- Pennsylvania Instructional II (Elementary K–6 & Reading Specialist K–12)
Timeline
Assistant Principal – Freshman Academy
Central High School
01.2023 - Current
Dean of Students
South Park Elementary
01.2020 - 01.2023
Reading Specialist
South Middle School
01.2019 - 01.2020
Teacher & Administrative Intern
East Stroudsburg Area School District
01.2003 - 01.2019
M.Ed. - Educational Leadership
East Stroudsburg University
M.Ed. - Education
East Stroudsburg University
B.S. - Elementary Education
University of New England