Joan Pierre-Jerome
Position: Principal
School: J.C. Mitchell Elementary School
School District: Palm Beach County School District
City, State: Boca Raton, FL
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Music that Describes Joan
Dr. Joan Pierre-Jerome was nominated by her colleague, Manuel Levine.
Dr. Pierre-Jerome, also known as "Dr. PJ," is an amazing educator. She leads a school that serves students in grades Pre-K through 5, including ESE (both virtually and in person). Her school has a very diverse student population. The majority of the students are from a low socioeconomic group. A large percentage are non-native English speakers who are beginning to learn English.
Dr. PJ has been the principal for the past several years. During that time, she has radiated a passion and love for education that is reflected in her administrative style. Dr. PJ is a hands-on administrator. She totally immerses herself in the daily operations of the school. In the morning, she is always on the car line greeting the students and parents. Then, she runs to the media center to motivate the students and staff on the morning news. At lunch, she can be found relating to students as she performs lunch duty. In addition, she can also be found distributing boxes of food to students' families who are in need.
Dr. PJ is a beloved administrator. She productively supports, encourages, and collaborates with her teachers and staff. She offers sound advice that undoubtedly enhances instruction and staff morale, particularly during this COVID-19 pandemic, when teachers are required to teach both in person and virtually and are under great stress. Dr. PJ is also embraced by the students’ families. She is proactive in enhancing the total school environment. Dr. PJ builds a sense of community and establishes norms and routines that are evident, whether she is present or not. She is an extremely nurturing, loving school leader. She always acknowledges individuality and purposefully addresses the needs of all students and staff.
"In my 40 years as a teacher at J.C. Mitchell Elementary, I have never worked for an administrator as exceptional as Dr. PJ," said Levine. "She impacts the lives of the students and staff like no other. I am wholeheartedly convinced that she deserves this honor. I am inspired by Dr. PJ and in awe of her talents."
Dr. Pj is an amazing person to have on campus! She makes sure we are educated correctly and that the school is organized properly to help make our school a well put together environment for us to learn and interact with others! Dr. Pj encourages us to be kind, learn, and to work on homework and on educational projects that we might come up with to do after school! She is the best principal ever and she will always be the most important and helpful person in the whole Jaguar team!
I have had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Joan Pierre- Jerome first as a parent. Both my children where under her guidance as an AP at the high school they attended. My daughter suffered a tragic loss and Dr. PJ was there to support her. When I heard that she was going to be our new Principal, I knew we would be in great hands. I have worked under several administrators over my 34 years at JC Mitchell. I can say that she has been the best administrator we have had. She always has our students’ best interests at heart. She goes the extra mile to make sure our students have what is needed so they can reach their true potential. She has created a nurturing environment for our students to learn in. Although, she takes academics seriously, she sprinkles in school wide fun days and student recognition ceremonies which acknowledge their accomplishments as well as making lasting memories.
In addition, to her tireless efforts in taking care of her students and their needs, she is there for every staff and faculty member. She makes it a point to get to know you personally. Her leadership, compassion for others, and her sense of family have guided us through many challenges such as loss of students, loss of faculty members, and losses in our own families. She has a way to comfort you in your time of need and helps you to see that although you are going through a tough time better days are ahead. She acknowledges our accomplishments and success. She appreciates all that we do to help make JC Mitchell a wonderful place for all. JC Mitchell has truly been blessed with having Dr. Pierre Jerome lead our school. She truly is deserving of this Life Changer of the Year Award.
I am a contractor who works on J.C. Mitchell Campus and I am new this year, I have colleagues who work in other schools and I have to say that no other principle I've heard of even comes close. Dr. P.J. has not spared any effort to not only make sure I have what I need to work with the students but to make sure that I feel part of the J.C. Mitchell team. I admire and respect her immensely, Dr. P.J. is a true leader and I am so grateful to have been placed in her school!
Dr. Joan Pierre-Jerome is highly deserving of the Life Changer of the Year Award. Her strength as a leader, her determination to provide an excellent academic environment, and her loving and caring attitude are an inspiration to me as well as to the students and staff at JCM.
Dr. PJ meets the many leadership challenges of running an elementary school with a focused and positive manner, working tirelessly to provide solutions to challenges both large and small. I have sought her counsel numerous times and am always assured of obtaining sound and experienced advice which has helped me become a better teacher.
Dr. PJ takes the time to get to know all students and shows genuine interest in their pursuits, difficulties, and accomplishments. In other words, she cares deeply for them, and they feel it!
Dr. Pierre-Jerome’s influence and leadership is what makes our school a wonderful place to learn and to grow personally and professionally. Throughout her years at JCM, Dr. PJ has enriched and positively changed many lives including my own.
I feel honored to call Dr. Pierre-Jerome my administrator and my mentor. In my 17 years of teaching across 3 states and 7 schools, I have never met a more caring principal. She truly walks the walk along side her teachers and staff at J.C. Mitchell. Although she works harder than any principal I have ever seen, she still manages to take time to ask her staff about their days. She listens, she responds, and she makes us feel like we truly are a team. She celebrates our successes, she mourns our losses, and she sets an example for us to follow. Her dedication makes me want to be a better teacher. We are all lucky to have Dr. PJ in our lives.
I have the privilege of being the ESOL Coordinator at JC Mitchell. In this position I get to work with students and families that come from countries around the world. Dr. PJ has such an incredible understanding of the challenges many of our English Language Learners face while acclimating to a new culture. She goes out of her way to make ALL of our families and students feel important. She is extremely supportive of her staff and values their input and ideas. She makes each and every one of us strive to do better because SHE sets the bar so high each and every day. She is an advisor, a mentor, a role model and at the same time a true friend. When you come across a person like this in your lifetime, you are lucky. When you get to work with someone of this caliber you are blessed beyond your wildest dreams... because when you are in need of motivation or inspiration you need look no further than the entrance to JCM on any given school day. Dr. Pierre-Jerome - a true LIFE CHANGER if there ever was one.
I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Levine. I work at JC Mitchell too. This is the third local Elementary school I’ve worked at, I soon realized this is where I’d stay until retiring. Dr PJ has created a highly supportive environment for students and staff. I am with her in the cafeteria, and I am amazed at how many children she knows by name. She runs a tight ship, with compassion and concern for each of us. Thank you Dr. PJ.
It is a privilege to work for Dr. Pierre-Jerome. As an educator, it is a joy to work with a principal who truly cares for children and their well-being. Dr. PJ puts the needs of our students at the forefron. The trust she has in her staff to do what is best for children is evident. Though I have been a teacher for more than ten years, the past six at J.C. Mitchell have flown by. I am a better educator, parent, and person because of her. My life has truly been changed by Dr. PJ.
Dr. P.J. has been a wonderful administrator of our school since I began my position at J.C. Mitchell 5 years ago. She always says hello and makes you feel a part of the J.C. Mitchell family. Even during this challenging year, she is so supportive of her staff and makes us feel appreciated for the work that we do. She is definitely deserving of being chosen for this recognition. She is truly a Life Changer in the lives of those around her.
Dr. P.J. is the most supportive and caring principal that I have worked with in all my years at J.C. Mitchell. I have worked for many principals in my thirty-five years here and she is the one who went above and beyond for her teachers, staff, and students. She is visible to the students and the children know that she really cares about them. She knows every child's name and if she doesn't she will the next day. She is always checking on her JC Mitchell family to make sure they are both physically and mentally handling the epidemic. She truly cares about us and will ask me weekly how is your family? Is your father doing okay? She is such a genuine person and I feel blessed to be able to call her my boss, and mostly a true friend. You have changed my life for the better.
Dr. PJ is one of the most passionate people I know. It is a true honor to work for her. She is not only my boss, but a true friend. Her door is always open and she takes care of any issues that arise immediately.
She works endless hours at our school and it shows. We love her!
She deserves this recognition more that anyone I know.
I have been a special education teacher for 34 years and I have worked for some amazing principals, but Dr. Pierre Jerome is more than amazing, she is an incredible leader. She leads by example, she interacts with the students every day, even at times taking over a class. She appreciates her staff and recognizes everyone personally for their skills. Dr. PJ as motivates us to do our best, and creates a school culture that is open, honest, friendly and academically enriching for all the students and staff. We are fortunate to have a leader of this caliber. They say pressure creates diamonds and she is our sparkling diamond. I am so honored to have worked under her leadership, and I believe she deserves this nomination.
I believe Dr. P.J. is deserving of this award because she is the walking definition of what a LifeChanger looks like. I believe she wakes up everyday looking to make a difference in someone's life for the better. She immerses herself in life. Her hands reach out to help everyone in whatever way she possibly can. She is a beautiful human being both inside and out. She shines as an administrator and is exceptional! I am proud and thankful to be here at this school where she makes you feel so welcome and warm everyday.
Dr. P.J. is the best! I wear two hats at J.C. Mitchell as both a teacher and a parent of a student at JCM. And I can say from both perspectives, that no one deserves this honor more. Dr. P.J. has always had an open-door policy and leads through a "family-first," mentality! And when I say, "family first," I don't just mean our student's families, but those of the staff as well. She is always checking in to see how our mental/emotional health and the health and well-being of our families is during these unprecedented times. She is the only principal I have ever worked for who will text me when I am sick to see how I am doing. She is the most empathetic and caring person and it is reflected in the relationships and bonds she has with her students, their families, and her staff!
Dr. PJ is a fearless leader. She leads with tremendous love and compassion. When things get thrown her way, she does not loose focus on what's at the heart of education - the students and her staff. Dr. PJ supports and encourages her students and staff daily. During the most recent challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented, Dr. PJ has shown great compassion and understanding to each individual staff member and family that has presented her with their own problems and concerns. Her moto is "Family First" and Dr. PJ includes the over 1,000 staff and student body of J.C. Mitchell her family! She listens, cares, motivates and supports each and every one of us! We are blessed, Dr. PJ is an exceptional leader and will leave a lasting impact on my life and the lives of so many others both students and staff.
Dr. PJ embodies all of the qualities that comprise an amazing leader. she is organized, directive, caring, supportive, relatable, and motivating. She goes above and beyond the duties entailed by her role as school principal and she treats each employee and staff as family. With the trial and tribulations thrown upon her this school year, she demonstrated resilience, empathy towards others, and direction, which helped her school, staff, students, and their families flourish. She is truly a role model of leadership and administration. I cannot think of someone deserving of the Life Changer award!
I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Levine. I work at JC Mitchell too. This is the third local Elementary school I’ve worked at, I soon realized this is where I’d stay until retiring. Dr PJ has created a highly supportive environment for students and staff. I am with her in the cafeteria, and I am amazed at how many children she knows by name. She runs a tight ship, with compassion and concern for each of us. Thank you Dr. PJ.
Dr. P.J. is a true reflection of an outstanding and an exceptional leader. She makes everyone, staff and students, always feel valued and appreciated. She is always accessible to staff and students as she is always visible, her actions are always intentional and her door is always open. Dr. P.J.'s leadership is what makes J.C. Mitchell Elementary not just a school, but a family.
It is certainly an honor to work for Dr. P.J. and she truly deserves to be recognized for her meticulous work, one in which makes her a LifeChanger!
I've been at JC Mitchell for almost 5 years. I am placed by an outside agency but have never felt as such. Dr. PJ works diligently with all the staff to make us feel like a big family. The 2020/2021 school year started with such adversary and uncertainty but Dr. PJ led the way with such clarity even when the world was in chaos. She is always available to help anyone that needs it. She is so dedicated to the school and because of that dedication she inspires her staff to be better and do better each and everyday. On any given day, you can find her outside helping students in the carline or in the cafeteria helping the lunch staff and being accessible to students throughout the day. I have worked in many schools and can only recall a handful of principals that do that. She is always looking for ways to better the school and enhance the lives of the students that attend JCM. I am honored and proud to work alongside her and know that there are many deserving people for this award but Dr. PJ is a pillar of strength for her community and really deserves the recognition.
Dr. PJ has been cultivating a family environment at J.C. Mitchell since the day she arrived. She works tirelessly to support our students and faculty. She knows all of the students at our school. She knows their names, personal things about them, as well as how they are doing in school. She gives love and support to them as well as tough love when needed. The students all know that she would do anything for them. She is also always there for faculty. Her door is always open which is especially important during these crazy times. J.C. Mitchell is lucky to have Dr. PJ.
Dr. PJ hired me 4 years ago and I feel she is highly deserving of this award. She makes the school environment feel warm and inviting and truly believes in the motto "family-first". She is supportive of our staff and teachers and believes in their ability to impact student achievement. Dr. PJ puts her whole heart into what she does and always puts students need first. She also has a great sense of humor that helps lift spirits in these very challenging times.
Dr. PJ is the epitome of what a good principal should be. I admire her character, her passion for learning, and her support of all the teachers at our school. Dr. PJ truly cares about the staff, students, and parents. She considers us her "other" family. Imagine going to work and feeling that you are the BEST at what you do and that you really do make a difference. That's the way I feel everyday when I walk through the doors of J.C. Mitchell Elementary! I am so lucky to work with Dr. PJ. She deserves this recognition because of who she is and what she does on a daily basis.
Just imagine working in a place where you know your boss has "got your back." I feel that way when I come to work because of my principal, Dr. PJ. She is tireless in working to create a safe and healthy school. Dr. PJ listens to staff's concerns and works quickly to address them. I appreciate the fact that she understands my job as an educator of students who have moderate to severe disabilities. She "gets it" and does not condescend or lower expectations. Dr. PJ shows respect to all students and staff. I can't think of enough attributes to describe her, but will provide you with a partial list: intelligent, insightful, prepared, warm, kind, quick thinking, empathetic, determined, fun, and funny. I have been working in schools since 1984 and she is the best that I've met. Dr. PJ is the definition of a LifeChanger.
Dr. PJ is the unsung hero of the JC Mitchell Elementary School and Community. She is the heartbeat of the school and goes above and beyond to ensure that students, families, and staff are her top-priority. Throughout this pandemic, Dr. PJ has been on the front lines to ensure the safety of our staff and students. As a leader, she expresses her heartfelt thanks to the teachers and staff and is always open to the collaborations of staff to make JC Mitchell a better place. She is well-deserving of this honor and I am amazed at how she manages to be present, compassionate, and always willing to lend an ear and a helping to hand wherever she is needed.
I have had the privilege of working with DR. PJ in my assignment as a School Resource Officer. She cares deeply for the students, staff, and visitors at her school and takes the time to make everyone feel included. Even if you spend one day at JCM, you will always be A JAGUAR in the eyes of DR. PJ. You will never forget what a pleasure it is to work and be around the nurturing environment that is JCM.
Dr. PJ has created a family atmosphere and environment at J.C. Mitchell Elementary. Her hard work and hands-on approach as a leader motivates the staff and students to "Reach for the Stars" and achieve Greatness. She truly cares about every staff member and student at JCM. We are very fortunate to have such a loving, kind and strong individual as our principal, friend and leader!!
Dr PJ is an amazing leader! She acknowledges our hard work each and every day. Dr. PJ loves our students, and it shows! She is a woderful lady! JCM is proud to have her as our principal!
I have had the privilege of working with DR. PJ in my assignment as a School Resource Officer. She cares deeply for the students, staff, and visitors at her school and takes the time to make everyone feel included. Even if you spend one day at JCM, you will always be A JAGUAR in the eyes of DR. PJ. You will never forget what a pleasure it is to work and be around the nurturing environment that is JCM.
I met Dr.PJ when I started working as an after care counselor at JCM 6 years ago. When I expressed to her that I wanted to be a teacher she took me under her wing and helped me every step of the way. It's been such an amazing experience to work for such a dedicated leader. She puts her heart and mind into everything she does here and it shows! The love she shows to students and staff is so genuine and pure! she deserves to be recognized for her hard work!
Dr. PJ has not only been the best principal I have ever worked for, she has been family. She cares about her JCM family and treats everyone fairly. Her number 1 priority has always been the kids at our school and we all know it comes from her amazing heart.
I first met Dr. PJ as a parent. My daughter was a student at JCM when Dr. PJ started out as our principal. She made an honest effort to learn every single student's name those first weeks of school. As she learned all the students' names she greeted them by name when she helped them get out of the car. She learned details about each student and would talk to them about their lives daily. Dr. PJ has a golden heart. She cares about every student in her school. She tries her hardest to help and support the families. I began volunteering at school whenever I could get time off from my job. Being a volunteer allowed me to see some of how Dr. PJ is involved in the functions of the school. She is rarely in her office. She is always visible moving around the school. I was inspired to want to work for Dr. PJ. I was informed of a position that was opening up and applied. It has been so motivating to work for her. She inspires me to be the best teacher I can be. She gives advice and tries her best to help me improve as an educator. However, it is her natural character trait of compassion that makes her the greatest leader of JCM
Dr. Pierre-Jerome cares for her staff and students alike. This is evident in everything she does to support and motivate everyone. We are lucky to have her.
