Jessica Hazzard named assistant principal at Cape High

With student enrollment numbers continuing to grow, Cape High has qualified for a fifth assistant principal, a position taken by a familiar face in the district, Jessica Hazzard.

For the past three years, Hazzard has been the district multilingual learner specialist, working with teachers and administrators in all schools to help staff support diverse learners.

Hazzard said she is excited to join the high school, where she will oversee the multilingual learner, math and world languages departments and assist with professional development.

“I hope everyone knows how great it is here,” she said, noting she is already looking forward to seeing students cross the stage at graduation knowing she played a part in their success. 

Before joining Cape, Hazzard worked in Indian River School District in a similar role as a multilingual learner specialist for eight years. She was also previously a reading specialist, and reading and multilingual learner teacher at Indian River; her first job as a teacher was at Sussex Academy. 

Hazzard said she moved to Cape for a new experience.

“Cape has a beautiful instructional model focusing on rigor, equity and celebrating differences, and those are things I truly believe in,” she said. “It’s an environment that always puts kids first. It’s amazing to sit down and have a conversation with any teacher, any administrator, and know it’s about what’s best for the student.”

Hazzard said she became interested in helping multilingual learners while in college, when she had the opportunity to volunteer in a classroom that was at the time called English language learners or English as a second language. She said she enjoyed getting to know students who had different life experiences.

“Helping them made me realize how much they had to offer me in my learning too,” she said.

Hazzard earned a bachelor's degree in education with a minor in linguistics from the University of Delaware. She also holds a master’s degree in reading, a second master’s degree in leadership and technology, and a doctorate in innovation and leadership, all from Wilmington University.

A lifelong learner, Hazzard is certified as a superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal, assistant principal, district office personnel, school leader, reading specialist, ELL and in social studies.

She lives in Millsboro with her husband, a local businessman who owns Offshore Wiring and is a co-owner of Solair. They have a 13-year-old daughter. Her hobbies include traveling, playing tennis, reading and swimming.

A Sussex Central High School grad, Hazzard grew up in Georgetown.