Re-Elect
Jessica Middlebrook
for
School CommitteE
equity, experience, empathy
Core Values
EQUITY
Equity is the cornerstone of the work I have done in my four years as a School Committee Member. All students are entitled to an education that celebrates their identities, lifts up their voices, and allows them access to opportunities. As a School Committee member I have supported, through budget and policy, the implementation of a K-12 Restorative Justice program, the development of Universal Pre-Kindergarten, the addition of more Family Engagement Specialists, the adoption of High Quality Instructional Materials, and allocated resources to diversify our workforce.
EXPERIENCE
I have devoted my career to supporting the mental health of young people in schools. My experience working with students and teachers to promote social and emotional wellbeing has given me a wealth of knowledge about what works (and what doesn’t) in special education and student support. My experience implementing research-based mental health practices for individual students and on a broader school-wide basis, along with my training and experience implementing Restorative Justice practices has informed the decisions I have made as a School Committee member.
EMPATHY
In this political climate, we need leaders who will unwaveringly champion policies and practices that prioritize the physical and emotional safety of those most impacted. As a school mental health professional who has worked with students, families, and teachers for almost 20 years, I am uniquely equipped to listen empathically and integrate multiple perspectives.
School Committee Accomplishments
Being a School Committee member means working as part of a team to ensure that budget and policy are aligned with the goals of the district.
In the past 4 years, Watertown Public Schools has:
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Launched universal Pre-K
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Launched a comprehensive Restorative Justice program K-12
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Successfully negotiated two teacher contracts and maintain a positive collaborative relationship with our unions
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Expanded the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging department to include a Restorative Practices Facilitator, Student Leadership Development Coordinator, Equity Facilitators at each school, and more Family Liaisons
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Universal screeners for math and reading
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Launched a new, high quality research based literacy curriculum at the Elementary Schools
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Added a Coordinator for Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Health and more Behavioral Health staff
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Added Assistant Principals at Lowell and Cunniff and a second AP at Watertown Middle School
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Eliminated fees for athletics and extracurricular activities
As a School Committee member for the last 4 years, I have:
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Chaired the Budget and Finance (2024), Curriculum (2022-2023), and Buildings and Grounds (2025) Subcommittees
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Sat on Budget and Finance (2022-2025), Athletics and Extracurricular (2022-2025), and Policy (2022-2025) Subcommittees
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Participated in Screening and Interview committees for:
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Director of Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
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Cunniff Principal
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Middle School Principal
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Early Steps Principal
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Director of Human Resources
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Served as a member of the School Building Committee (2024-2025), supporting the completion of the new Watertown High School and the beginning stages of the Watertown Middle School renovation
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Served as a member of the Anti-Bias Coalition
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Championed budgets and policies that promote equity and belonging for all our learners, particularly those representing the global majority, Multi-Language Learners, and students with disabilities
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Successfully negotiated two teacher contracts as part of the bargaining team and continue support a positive, collaborative working relationship with the Watertown Educators' Association
Volunteer
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