JESSICA SAVAGE, MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MIDDLE SCHOOL

Before moving to Charlotte, Jessica Savage’s first teaching position was at a juvenile detention center in Detroit. She had just graduated from the University of Michigan, and was teaching ninth grade.

Savage said the school came with its challenges, but her time there is something that she will cherish forever. 

“To this day, I feel like it was one of the most impactful experiences I ever had,” said Savage. “It was where I learned the importance of relationships with kids and just how much it means to kids when they know they have somebody in their corner.”

Over the years, Savage continued to see herself grow as an educator — building relationships with her students and staff, holding her students to high expectations and thinking strategically as an administrator when placing staff in the right spots.

Jennifer Dean, Middle School Performance Area A assistant superintendent, worked with Savage when she was a math teacher and Dean was an assistant principal at what was then Midwood High School. Even then, Dean said her “compass” was always pointed toward students and making decisions in their best interests.

“She had an indelible skill to meet them where they were and take them to where she knew they could go,” said Dean. “Principal Savage leads with this quiet strength and this deep level of care, and what you see on the surface does not compare to what is underneath.”

Under the encouragement of principals she worked for, Savage made the decision to go into administration and expand her reach. She completed her principal internship while at West Charlotte High School through the Leaders for Tomorrow Program. Savage was a dean and assistant principal before landing her first principal role at Whitewater Middle School where she was for four years. She is now in her second year as the principal at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School.

Savage said what she loves most about Martin Luther King Jr. Middle is the family atmosphere the school created. From the time students and families walk through the doors in the morning, they’re greeted with smiles and music to get their day started.

Eric Thompson, orchestra director, said you can always find Savage in a classroom.

“She’s constantly seeing how things are happening,” said Thompson. “She wants to see when changes are made and wants to see when things are implemented. And if things need to be adjusted, she’s fine with making those adjustments. She wants to make sure things are moving in the right direction.”

Savage said she loves being a principal. In her 20 years of education, 18 with CMS, she hopes students know that she cares about them, that their voices are heard and they’re valued. Savage was named a Principal of the Year finalist for Middle School Performance Area A. 

“It’s truly an honor and a testament to the great team here at MLK,” said Savage. “It’s also a testament to every leader that I have had the pleasure of working under. They’ve taught me well. And my team — the teachers, admin and staff — and students, they make me better every single day.”