Good evening Southern Oak Community this is Principal Wilson.  I am thrilled to introduce myself as the newly appointed principal for the upcoming 2024-25 school year. With eighteen years of experience in educational leadership, I am dedicated to upholding the legacy of excellence and commitment to all learners at Southern Oak.

I firmly believe that every student deserves access to a nurturing educational environment that promotes both academic and social growth. Southern Oak serves as the cornerstone for building a skyscraper with a strong foundation for college and career readiness, and I am excited to be a part of shaping the educational journey of each student.

I am grateful for the opportunity to inspire, create, and motivate learners within the Southern Oak community to reach new heights in the early stages of their development. Together, we will work towards creating a supportive and enriching environment where every student can thrive.

Thank you for entrusting me with this important role. I look forward to collaborating with all members of the Southern Oak Owl Community to ensure a successful and fulfilling academic year ahead.

My educational background and teaching experience includes the following:

8 years Principal (Lake St. George, Melrose, Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle)

10 years Assistant Principal (Seminole Middle, John Hopkins Middle, Largo High)

10 years Math Teacher (Johnson Middle School in Manatee County, Pace Center for Girls, Seminole Middle, and Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School)

Hello!

I am so excited to be your assistant principal! I have been in education for 25 years and 21 of those years have been spent here at Southern Oak, teaching intermediate grades and then as an instructional coach. My two daughters are also SOE alumni! My oldest, Madison, is 21 years old and in college at Arizona State University. Cassidy, my baby 😊, is 18 and graduated from Seminole High School last May. They are my pride and joy and if you have several minutes to spare, ask me to tell you all about them.

I am a product of Pinellas County Schools myself, having attended Cross Bayou and Pinellas Central Elementaries, Morgan Fitzgerald Middle and Pinellas Park High School. I went to the University of South Florida and earned my B.S. degree in Elementary Education and then attended Saint Leo University to obtain a master’s degree in educational leadership. I am passionate about education, and I try to model a positive attitude even when things get tough.

If you see me around the campus, please say hello and let me know if you have any suggestions or concerns, because we are always striving to improve our practices. Thank you for trusting us with your child’s education; it is a privilege that I don’t take lightly.

Sincerely,

Brandie Jessie,

Assistant Principal, Southern Oak Elementary