ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – An Upper Peninsula educator has been named among the state’s top assistant middle school principals.
Escanaba Junior High School Assistant Principal Jessica Garber has worked in education for more than 20 years. She has been with the Escananba Area Public School District for about a decade.
“I worked at Lemmer Elementary for a little while, and then I moved over here about six months later,” she said. “I did five years of special education in the Jr/Sr High School. I became the assistant principal after that, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
She says the school has come to feel like home, and the people in it have become her family.
“I’ve been here for a while, and my kids go to school here right now, so that’s fun,” said Garber. “I get to be with them, and then I feel like the rest of the students are my kids as well. A lot of my friends are here, and I enjoy the students and staff here as well.”
That sentiment goes both ways. Principal Andy Doutree proved that by nominating Garber to be the 2026 Michigan Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year, a title awarded by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals.
“That’s pretty exciting, and I am one of three finalists this year,” Garber said. “It goes to the Michigan Association for Secondary School Principals Board, and then the winner gets some recognition at their conference next summer in June, so that will be exciting.”
Garber is humbled by the nomination, saying it highlights the dedication of her entire school family.
“There’s been so many people who have helped me along the way, from principals, teachers, students, the lunch crew, custodians, my own secretary,” she said. “Everybody that I work with I feel like makes a difference in my day because I honestly could not do this without the team that I have behind me. There’s so many people behind the scenes making this school really great every day.”
The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals will announce the Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year winner in the coming weeks. Whatever the outcome, Garber says her focus is—and always will be—on the students.
“What I really want for all my students is success, and win or lose, I hope that they all feel recognized for something that they do great every day,” said Garber. “When I come to school every day, I hope that they feel positive being around me and that I can find something positive about them that makes them feel really good, and I hope that their day is a little bit brighter with me being in it.”
Garber says there are many “awesome” principals and assistant principals throughout Michigan, and she encourages them to continue strong in the important work they do each day.
