Who is Jessica?
For over 18 years, Jessica Albert has dedicated herself t
o supporting at-risk students in Texas public schools. She began her career teaching middle school math and AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) for eight years before transitioning into administrative roles. Jessica served as a principal at a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) for four years and as an administrator at an Alternative Education Campus (AEC) for six years. Throughout her career, she has focused on developing systems that foster safe and connected school environments. Her efforts have led to significant improvements in attendance, culture, and climate at each campus she has worked with. She dedicates time to training teachers on creating supportive classroom environments and mentors students on future-oriented thinking.
Jessica’s credentials
- Mathematics 4–8 certification
- Principal certification
- Superintendent certification
- Bachelor of business administration
- Master of accountancy
Work history
- Teacher, Cullen Place Middle School, Corpus Christi ISD
- Assistant principal, Solomon Coles High School, Corpus Christi ISD
- Principal, Student Support Center, Corpus Christi ISD
- Principal, Solomon Coles High School, Corpus Christi ISD
What are Jessica’s passions?
My passion lies in serving students, especially those who face significant challenges. While it’s rewarding to see students who naturally excel and surpass their own expectations, my heart truly belongs to those who struggle in a traditional environment. I thrive on working with students who hide in the back row, avoid their work, or act out to the point of being sent out of class. These are the students often overlooked by conventional schools and those who seem to have the odds stacked against them. I find immense fulfillment in removing barriers to their education and advocating for their success. Through our educational platform, we can assess students’ risk of dropping out and intervene effectively with those that appear to have a greater risk of dropping out. Last year, we proudly graduated 144 students who, according to our system, had less than a 50% chance of graduating. Creating safe and connected environments truly makes a difference, and it helps students defy the odds and achieve remarkable success.
Jessica’s aha moment
During my first year of teaching, I had a student in my math class who frequently slept and neglected his homework. Coming from a stable, highly educated, middle class background, I struggled to understand his behavior. When I asked him to speak with me outside, I discovered he was working all night cleaning his family’s restaurant and was exhausted during the day. This revelation marked the beginning of my “aha” moment. Shortly thereafter, I read Dr. Ruby Payne’s A Framework for Understanding Poverty, which profoundly influenced my career. It became clear to me that my mission was to build relationships with, educate, and advocate for the most at-risk students.
What does Jessica do for fun?
I love to play disc golf with my dad. He owns a wakeboarding boat, and I love to take my kids to the lake to tube and wake surf. I also love to camp, or should I say “glamp.” I own a 34-foot RV and have pulled it all over the United States. My family loves traveling and just being outside.