About the Administrators:
Harper welcomes you as a partner in the education of your child. Please feel free to contact us anytime as our door (or email) is always open.
Jacqueline Brennan, Principal
[email protected]
I am incredibly excited to be the Principal of Harper Elementary School! After spending the previous two years at Harper as the Assistant Principal, I truly have an understanding of our students and community. I look forward to leading our Dolphins in a great school year. Seeing our students and teachers together in the classroom learning, growing and thriving truly inspires me as a leader. I am eager to continue to partner with our families, students and staff to ensure another year of learning, individual growth, success and happiness. Go Dolphins!
My educational career began in the classroom teaching in Chicago Public Schools and District 39 (at Central). As a teacher, my time was spent in 4th, 5th and 6th grade classrooms. I spent the last four years as an assistant principal at Scammon Elementary Schools, a PreK-8th grade building of over 650 students, in Chicago Public Schools.
I attended Loyola Academy in Wilmette for high school followed by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where I received my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education with middle school endorsements in English Language Arts and Social Science. I then attended Northeastern Illinois University where I received my Masters in Educational Leadership and Development.
On a personal note, I have two and a half year old identical twin daughters who love running in different directions. The girls keep my husband and I quite busy! During my free time, I enjoy time with our extended family in the form of barbecues, family dinners and all things food related. My husband and I live within one mile of both of our siblings and parents!
Melissa Feinberg, Assistant Principal
[email protected]
I am beyond excited to join the Harper team this school year as the Assistant Principal. From the moment I stepped foot in Harper I got such a strong feeling of warmth, kindness, and collaboration. I believe in strong school and community culture, and I'm excited to continue that here. I am looking forward to supporting our Dolphins to be their best selves and thrive in our community.
My career began as a classroom assistant in Winnetka. I am coming to Wilmette with 15 years of experience in Distinctive Schools in a variety of roles. I have been a 2nd grade teacher, 3rd grade teacher, instructional coach, and most recently the Assistant Principal of CICS Irving Park for the last 5 years.
Growing up I attended school in Deerfield and went to Deerfield High School. Knowing I wanted to be a teacher my whole life, I received my undergraduate degree in elementary education at Indiana University in Bloomington. Go Hoosiers! I then received my masters degree at National Louis University in Educational Leadership and Development.
A little bit about me personally, my husband Mike and I have twin 7 year old boys, Bradley and Taylor. They are about to enter 2nd grade and the time has flown by! Mike and I met in college during our Welcome Week freshman year. He is also an educator and teaches 8th grade civics in Chicago Public Schools. In my free time I love spending quality time with my boys, reading, and trying new restaurants!