Jessica Powell: 'I like to pull that greatness out of them'

Jessica Powell

Physics and Sustainable Societies

Marina High School

Marina High School Teacher Jessica Powell does it all - teaches physics and sustainable societies, busy mom to a high school freshman, serves at her local church, teaches CPR, and volunteers at AMT, AVB organization, and Road to Reality.

 

“Wherever I can assist and serve people is what I like to do in my free time,” Jessica says proudly with a smile.

A product of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, Jessica graduated from Monterey High School, attended Monterey Peninsula College and pursued a bachelors degree in kinesiology. Her road to teaching began when she was volunteering for her sister’s club at Monterey High. At that time she was asked to consider teaching sports medicine, but she had no teaching background. Her experience with youth and sports medicine qualified her to become a Career Technical Education teacher at MPUSD and Monterey High School. 

Yet, Jessica yearned to learn more and received both her teaching credential and masters degree through MPUSD’s unique partnership with the Alder Graduate School to grow its own teaching force. Jessica has been with MPUSD for six years - four at Monterey High, one at Seaside High, and now she is a proud Marina High School Mariner.

 

“I really love the youth,” says Jessica. Her ability to empower them (youth) to be their best selves, never give up, have self motivation, and strive to be great in everything they can do really inspired her to become a teacher.

She says that her favorite part is teaching the underdog students - those that are often labeled as “bad,” “don't listen,” or “defiant.” “I love teaching them because a lot of times they can’t see their best selves. They only see what they are labeled as. I like to pull that greatness out of them and let them know they are not a label and they are not what people say. They are something much more than that and when I can see an ounce of change in that student or in those students that makes my day and makes me continue to show up each and every day for work,” she states unequivocally.

Diving deeper into how she connects with students, Jessica creates a relationship, gets personal with students, and lets them know that they can trust her. “It takes time and patience,” she says. “I get to know them on a personal level, not just on the surface or something I am assigned to do…they let me into their world and I am able to assist them based on what I know or things I have been through or people I can connect them with others.”

Jessica lets her students know they are loved and that they are here for a purpose and can make a difference. There are some kids she hasn’t been able to reach, but she says it’s an opportunity to sharpen the tools that she has and open her heart even bigger for the next kid.

 

“As long as I’ve done my part and I did all that I could…that I did my best,” she says. “Hopefully I’ve embedded something into them that comes into remembrance and helps them grow.”

As a newcomer to Marina High she wanted to initiate something meaningful and impactful, so together with College and Career Specialist Mario Grau, they launched Black Business Fridays to expose students who are underrepresented to locally-owned Black businesses in February as part of Black History Month. The concept has grown and will extend beyond February to provide others the opportunity to share their story and provide resources and tools to students.

 

“That is what I really wanted to create, a platform not just presentations and information, but actual resources and tools students can use and apply to their lives," Jessica said.

For Jessica as an educator her mission is to always put kids over the curriculum.

 

“Kids don’t care how much you know and so they know how much you care. I pray and hope that I continue keeping that message with me throughout my education journey,” she says.