“One test is too much if it does not change your teaching.” – Lillie G. Jessie

Lillie G. Jessie is a nationally recognized author, mentor, master teacher, and innovative administrator in the educational field. She has authored three anthologies, “The Collaborative Principal,” “The Collaborative Teacher,” and “It’s the Principal of the Thing,” as well as a national video, “Nothing Happens Until People are Having Fun.” She earned a master’s degree in communication disorders from Northwestern University, a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology from South Carolina State University, and certification in administration from the University of Virginia.

Jessie, a former teacher and administrator in Prince William County (PWC) Public Schools, retired in the 2010-11 school year after a 35-year career, 20 years of which were served as principal of Vaughan Elementary School. Her school was a National Professional Learning Community Model. It was nationally recognized for closing the achievement gap. It was recognized locally as a School of Excellence, and a Title I School of Distinction at the State level. She was awarded Principal of the Year and received the Washington Post Distinguish Leadership Award. Currently she is member of the PWC School Board.

Jessie was recently appointed by Governor McAuliffe to be a member of the SOL Innovation Committee, which is taking a comprehensive look at Virginia’s Standards of Learning. She has received numerous community service awards and is the founder of the Martin Luther King Youth Oratorical Contest, one of the largest MLK celebrations in the nation.