Her Story
About Jessica
Jessica Zimmer is a dedicated educational leader, mentor, and advocate for professional growth with more than 31 years of experience in the field of education. Based in East Islip, she currently serves as Principal of Shelter Rock Elementary within Manhasset Public Schools while also serving as a Fellow for the Center for Women in Leadership at the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Throughout her distinguished career, Jessica has held a wide range of leadership and instructional roles, including teacher, mentor, instructional coach, curriculum writer, staff developer, and school administrator, all centered around her passion for empowering both students and educators.
Known for her philosophy of being a “Leader, Learner, and Lifter,” Jessica is deeply committed to fostering growth among all members of the school community, from teachers and support staff to parents and aspiring administrators. She believes that investing in the development of adults within the educational environment ultimately creates stronger outcomes for students. Her dedication to leadership development extends beyond her school building through national-level professional development initiatives, webinars, conference presentations, and contributions to Principal Magazine. Jessica is especially passionate about courageous leadership, women in leadership, and helping educational professionals strengthen their voice, confidence, and impact.
An avid reader, researcher, and lifelong learner, Jessica continually seeks opportunities to expand her own leadership knowledge and expertise. She actively participates in conferences and advanced learning experiences, including leadership programs and national educational forums, where she collaborates with fellow school leaders from across the country. Her enthusiasm for innovation, collaboration, and educational excellence has made her a respected voice within the education community and a strong advocate for creating positive, student-centered school cultures built on continuous learning and intentional leadership.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jessica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to lots of support by the right people cheering me on. I've been fortunate to have people who believe in me and support my work throughout my career. Having the right people in your corner, encouraging you and helping you grow, has made all the difference in my journey as an educational leader.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received came from my mentor during a very challenging time in my career. She told me about something called a 'holy kick' - the idea that sometimes during your career, things are not going to go your way, but you have to believe that there's a reason why it happens and lean into the challenge. I've learned that you always end up better in the long run, and I found that to be true over and over in my career. You have to work hard, fight for it, and not give up, because in the long run, things work out for the better.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the field of education is to keep learning and growing and reflecting. Find your people - find the people who are going to make you better, who want better for you. Look for thought partners who will push you and not just say you're doing a great job. You need people who can give you honest, helpful feedback. Surround yourself with people who will help you grow into your career and make you better as a leader.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I've faced in leadership is that sometimes there's competition and people looking out for themselves rather than supporting people who are working harder than them or doing something different. Navigating the naysayers and people who undermine you or say untrue things has been the hardest part in leadership. I'm just there to help people - that's why I'm a leader - but when people keep putting roadblocks in the way, it's frustrating because I have enough challenges without people making it harder for me to do the things I want to do to help people. As for opportunities, it's a very challenging time for educational leaders, but I've been working on contributing to the field through professional development, writing, and sharing my story. I'm looking for more opportunities to connect with leaders all over the country and help to really continue to move the field of educational leadership forward.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Giving back is huge to me - whether it's supporting new educators, giving back to my community through volunteering and making blankets for families in need, or my husband's work in the fire department. I believe in capitalizing on moments and making sure that I make connections to people and learn about people in moments, not just in long conversations. I really focus on the tiny impacts you have on others. I'm all about collaboration and including as many voices as possible, both at home and at work. It's important to me to always be giving back and helping others grow.
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