Northview — Dr. Angie Jefferson is the district’s new deputy superintendent. A native of Alpena, Michigan, she has 24 years of experience in education. SNN gets to know her in this edition of Meet Your Administrator.
What is your career background in teaching or other education positions?
- High school history, AP government, government and psychology teacher, 13 years, Thornapple Kellogg High School
- Girls basketball coach, eight years, Thornapple Kellogg High School
- Principal, 11 years, Lee Elementary
“After 13 wonderful years of being a principal,” Jefferson said in a statement, “I knew I longed to lead from a central office in a large district with a diverse population where the common ground is loving and supporting all kids. There is nowhere I would rather be than Northview Public Schools.”
What is your education background?
- Bachelor of Science degree in history and psychology, Grand Valley State University
- Master’s degree in educational leadership, GVSU
- Educational specialist in educational leadership, GVSU
- Doctorate in educational leadership, Eastern Michigan University
Describe your leadership style in seven words or less: Collaborative, prioritizes relationships, has high expectations
What jobs have you held outside education? “The best summer job I ever held was on Mackinac Island; I worked at a gift shop. It was the summer after my freshman year of college. I loved all the social aspects of working with people from all over on the island.”
What would you like to share about your family? “I love spending time with my family. My husband and I have four children; our oldest daughter is a junior at Michigan State University, our son graduated from Northview and will be attending and playing basketball at Aquinas College, we have another daughter who will be a junior at NVHS and an eighth-grade son attending Crossroads Middle. Our family enjoys spending time up north on Lake Huron with family and friends, playing basketball and supporting the kids at their events.”
Hobbies or interests? “I enjoy sports and exercising; reading and cooking are also hobbies of mine. A fun fact about me is that I water ski once a year, just to make sure I can still do it (without falling, that is).”
What kind of kid were you in elementary school? “Truth be told, I was a bit misbehaved and distracted. I liked learning but often felt bored.”
Despite that, she said, “I liked school; I was very social and teachers did not always love that. Math was hard for me, and I can remember needing to get extra help and not always feeling confident in that subject area.
“I loved playing sports, so basketball in middle school and high school was what I really loved about being in school. I had great teammates, coaches and mentors in basketball. I am still in contact with my high school coaches; they played a really big role in my life.”
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from students? “Listen to them. No matter the age, their thoughts are so unfiltered and valuable; we can learn a lot from listening to them.”
If you could go back in time, which grade would you choose to return to, and why? “Sophomore year in high school: our girls basketball team went to quarterfinals that year. It was amazing.”
Your perfect sandwich: #12 at Jimmy John’s
Dogs or cats: Dogs
Your first concert: The Pointer Sisters
If you had to listen to one song the rest of your life: “I’ll Be Missing You” by Faith Evans and Sean Combs
Describe your favorite school day in seven words or less: “Student knows that staff member loves them.”
Read more from Northview:
• With lists and laughter, she’s ready to lead
• Northview superintendent decides to make a ‘quiet exit’
