PUSD announced the appointment of PMS teacher Jamie Van Kleeck as the school’s next assistant principal at the May 22 Board of Education meeting.
From the superintendent’s newsletter on May 31:
Jamie’s educational journey spans 20 years, starting as a classroom teacher. Her tenure at PMS began in 2012 when she initially served as a Core 7 teacher. Her dedication and leadership were quickly recognized, leading her to take on the ASB leadership class, a role she held for 9 years. Jamie’s versatility and commitment were further demonstrated in her positions as a full-time English 8 teacher, a CoTaught English teacher, and a valued member of our MTSS team.
Jamie earned an undergraduate degree from Cal State Hayward in Liberal Studies/Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in English, a multiple-subject teaching credential from Saint Mary’s College, and Single Subject Credential from UC San Diego.
For the past 12 years, she has demonstrated her leadership skills and dedication to PMS and PUSD in various roles, including supporting new and developing teachers as a TEAM and TIP mentor, holding the position of English Department Chair, MTSS TOSA, and advocating for many other initiatives and goals at PMS.
The selection process for the Assistant Principal position was rigorous and comprehensive. We received a total of 36 applications, from which we shortlisted 9 candidates for the first round of interviews. Following this, 4 candidates were invited for a second round of interviews. The interview panels were diverse, including teachers, staff, and parents. The process involved blind performance writing tasks and a range of scenario and value-based questions, ensuring a fair and thorough evaluation of each candidate’s suitability. I also had an opportunity to meet with Ms. Van Kleeck, who clearly shines as a leader. It was through this extensive interview process that Jamie Van Kleeck emerged as the clear choice.
Throughout the selection process, Jamie’s exceptional qualities shone through. Her passion for middle school students, dedication to rigorous academics, strong moral compass, and commitment to DEIB work were evident. Her collaborative approach and clear vision for PMS, combined with her can-do attitude, make her an ideal fit for our school.