This week, for National Principals Month, we are spotlighting three middle school leaders who show up every day to build learning communities where students can grow, where they can belong, where they can thrive.
Meet Joven "Jay" Lusa at DSST: College View Middle School (CV MS), Shannon Feeney at DSST: Montview Middle School (MTV MS), and Jacquelyn Seigle at Aurora Science & Tech Middle School (AST MS). Each leads a distinct school community, but all three share a fundamental belief: when you cultivate a culture where expectations are high, relationships are strong and every student knows they belong, transformational results follow.
Leading with courage and presence
Lusa has a passion for developing teachers and leaders, building strong systems, and creating a joyful, equitable school culture, so stepping into the School Director role at CV MS this year was a natural progression after years of serving in multiple leadership roles at the school, from Dean of Students to School Director in Training. Lusa believes that collective effort and collaboration are the foundation of great schools.
"To me, being a leader in education means having the courage to do what's right over what's convenient," Lusa said. "It's about setting people up for success, whether by listening through tough moments, offering guidance or modeling the way forward. Leadership also means helping teachers cut through the noise so they can focus on what truly matters: students. Above all, I believe in being present. People feel supported when their leader is in the trenches with them."
That hands-on approach has created one of the strongest student cultures in the network.
"Working with Lusa is energizing and inspiring," said Amanda McDonald, Managing Director. "He leads with purpose, consistency and care, setting a tone of excellence that his entire team follows. He models what it means to be calm, student-centered, and relentlessly committed to growth."
McDonald added, "Lusa has cultivated one of the strongest student cultures in the network. One where expectations are high, relationships are strong, and every student knows they belong. The Wolfpack truly embodies what it means to move as one team, driven by shared values and mutual respect."
Designing schools for the world we want to see
Shannon Feeney is in her eighth year of leadership at DSST. She worked at CV MS for five years as an Assistant School Director and School Director in Training before transitioning to MTV MS as the School Director. She also has an extensive background as a teacher and leader prior to coming to DSST.
"I was shaped personally and professionally by my own 6-12 educational experience," Feeney shared. "I went to a school that was founded on the ideals of community, service, responsibility, inclusion and the idea that all students should be treated with dignity. It was groundbreaking. It was transformational. And it was designed not on what was, but on what could be, what was possible. That experience drives me and informs my leadership; I believe it is a moral imperative for us to create transformational educational experiences for all students."
For Feeney, too many schools across the county “reflect and reinforce the everyday harms and oppressions of our society onto students. To lead in education right now means to disrupt that reality and strive to prepare students for the world we want to see.”
It is her goal as a leader to create a space where all means all and her students can see and believe in what they are capable of.
“I know, at my core, transformational education is possible, because I experienced it,” Feeney said. “And I believe we can achieve that at Montview: this is the place, we are the ones."
"Working with Feeney is like being part of a master class in intentional leadership," McDonald said when asked about Feeney. "She brings focus, clarity, and deep care to every decision she makes. Her leadership is rooted in equity, collaboration, and a fierce belief that all means all."
Feeney can lead with heart and precision, McDonald added.
“She drives toward excellence while ensuring every student is seen, supported, and successful. She's built a campus culture that reflects the true spirit of the Knights: resilient, united, and committed to the pursuit of greatness for every learner."
Excellence through joy
Jacquelyn Seigle started her career as a middle school science teacher in Arizona before becoming a founding teacher at CV MS in 2012. She has been in school leadership since 2014 and has been the director at AST MS since 2022.
"Being a leader in education means ensuring that students are in class and learning every single day," Seigle said. "There are so many complex and ever-changing elements that impact that, and it is my job to focus our team on the most important priorities. It's also super important that we do this work with joy. It is a privilege and honestly just so fun to serve children and families every day."
Seigle “brings an unmatched blend of energy, humor, and heart to everything she does,” according to McDonald, who added that "working with Jacquelyn is pure joy."
“Whether she's in classrooms, hallways, or the lunchroom, she's in it with students and staff every single day. There's truly nothing she won't do to support her community."
Her leadership style is very hands-on, all-in, which, according to McDonald, has created a school culture that is both high-performing and full of heart.
That all-in leadership style has created remarkable results. Under Jacquelyn's leadership, AST MS moved from Orange to Green in just one year.
“She sets the tone for excellence through joy with modeling what it means to lead with presence, positivity, and purpose,” McDonald said. “Her connection to both staff and students makes AST feel like a place where everyone belongs and thrives."
What great leadership looks like
Lusa, Feeney and Seigle lead three different school communities with three distinct approaches. But watch them in action and you'll see the common threads: they're visible in hallways and classrooms, not hidden in offices. They set impossibly high expectations while providing the support to meet them. They celebrate small wins and learn from setbacks. They build cultures where both students and staff want to show up every day.
Most importantly, they understand something essential about middle school leadership: these are the years that shape how young people see themselves as learners and as people. And it requires leaders who show up with both heart and precision, joy and rigor, vision and follow-through.
That's exactly what these three bring to their schools every single day.