It is said that every story must come to an end, but not for Jessica Santee. As Principal, she has brightened the hallways of Glenbard South for the past four years. She has impacted the lives of hundreds of students, whether they were freshmen walking through our doors for the first time or seniors walking across the commencement stage dressed in a blue cap and gown. Santee’s journey at Glenbard South does not stop here. Starting in the fall of 2025, Santee will be the new superintendent for Glenbard High School District 87, and students and staff alike cannot wait to see how this story will continue.
It all began at Ohio State University, where Santee studied political science and criminology. Her original plan had been to attend law school once she completed her undergraduate education, but things changed when she decided to take a gap year. During this time, Santee worked at Children and Family Services as a caseworker. She mainly worked with adolescents, helping them with heavy issues such as abuse, neglect and past trauma. As she continued to meet family after family, she noticed a trend.
“I really came to find,” said Santee, “that the place where the most impact happens–and where you actually had the most ability to make a difference in a kid’s life–was the school.”
Despite having taken the LSAT, Santee did not end up applying to law school. Instead, she went back to school for a master’s degree in secondary education, later becoming a social studies teacher. In those years, Santee taught AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics. After teaching for four years in her home state of Ohio, she moved to Chicago, where she worked at Elmwood Park, York and Lisle high schools. Finally, after two years as Assistant Principal for Instruction at Glenbard South, Santee became Principal in 2021.
Being a principal is no easy task, and yet Santee handles her job with an unmatched kindness and warmth towards every student. Through the years, she has made countless memories alongside the students of Glenbard South. One specific tradition which she holds dear is the beginning of the year’s Raider Pride lesson, during which students write their name or a quote on a piece of paper as part of a large mural to be hung up in the Commons hallway.
“It is one thing to do the lesson,” Santee explained, “but my favorite part is when no one thinks I am watching and I see students point to their names or their friends’ names. You are going to do what people tell you to do for the most part, but no one is telling you to go back and show each other and take pride in it. That makes me feel like it actually mattered.”
However, with every moment of pride and joy comes a challenge. Santee, although being experienced to begin with, has learned a myriad of lessons over her years as Principal of Glenbard South.
“Everybody’s got a story of something that’s going on in their life. In a day, I can be celebrating with someone their best moment in their entire life and then a minute later I’m part of a conversation that’s literally the worst thing that’s ever happened to a family,” Santee remarked.
Students, from freshmen to seniors, have their own stories about how Santee has impacted them. Whether through just a simple smile in the hallways or helping with a personal issue, Santee consistently makes an effort towards ensuring each South student has had a good day by the time the 3:00 p.m. bell rings.
Simone Witort, a Glenbard South senior and a principal cellist in the school’s Honors and Concert orchestra, has her own special memories with Santee. “As a student involved in the fine arts, Ms. Santee shows her support after each concert through letters. She writes to all those who participated, congratulating us on our hard work. We are so lucky to have this continued support in all of South’s extracurriculars, be it athletic, musical or other.”
While we are saddened to let her go, it is undeniable that Santee will continue to be a force to be reckoned with as Superintendent next year. In the next five to eight years, District 87 will see over $300 million of construction across its four buildings with Santee helping to lead the way. Glenbard South is thankful for all that Principal Santee has done for us these past four years and is impatiently awaiting all that she will continue to do to grow our community.
