Jesseca Steele has been selected by Superintendent Xavier Botana to serve as interim principal of Rowe Elementary School for the 2022-2023 school year. She began work on Aug. 29 and the Board of Public Education formally approved her appointment at its Tuesday, Sept. 6, meeting.

Jesseca brings significant school leadership and early childhood learning experience to this role. She has been a principal in both Scarborough and Westbrook and has been a leader statewide around early learning.

Jesseca is filling the position previously held by Barbara Fletcher, who left to take a principal position in South Portland. A search this summer did not result in the selection of the next principal for Rowe, so Jesseca will fill the role this year. The principal selection process will resume this winter to identify the next principal for the Rowe community.

“We are very appreciative of Jesseca for stepping in this year,” said Assistant Superintendent for School Management Aaron Townsend. “We are confident that she’ll be able to provide the support needed at Rowe this year as the school continues to deepen the achievement, whole student and equity work that has been underway the past few years.” 

Here’s more about Jesseca:

Jesseca Steele, Interim Principal, Rowe Elementary School: Jesseca has worked with age groups ranging from preschool through adult learners over the past 21 years and has 13 years of leadership experience at the early learning and elementary school level in both Georgia and Maine. Jesseca has held prior principalships in Scarborough and Westbrook, where she helped implement strategic initiatives and best practices for SEL and DEI. She is a trainer with Maine Roads to Quality, and she currently facilitates the Leading Early Learning course for elementary school principals across Maine who are interested in deepening their knowledge to better support their PreK through third-grade learning communities.

Jesseca earned her B.S. and M.Ed. degrees from the University of Georgia and completed her Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern Maine.

Jesseca lives in Saco with her husband and son and just transitioned her daughter to college. In her free time, she enjoys kickboxing and home DIY.