Jake Russell

Cahn Fellow 2019

Principal, Chamberlain High School

Tampa, Florida

Jake Russell began his career in 1994 as a Social Studies teacher in Hillsborough County. In 2000, after 6 years in the classroom, he moved into administration as an Assistant Principal. Jake was named the Principal at Sickles High School in 2005. Under his leadership, Sickles earned an A grade 10 out of the 12 years he was principal. In June of 2017, Mr. Russell was offered the principalship at Chamberlain High School. Chamberlain was a D-rated school in 2016 and 2017 and the lowest-performing school in Hillsborough County. Chamberlain serves a diverse population where 87% of the students receive free and reduced lunch. In 2018, after Mr. Russell's first year, Chamberlain improved to a C growing from 368 earned points to 509. Turn around leadership has become his passion, and he looks forward to continued professional growth.

In 2020, Jake was selected as Principal of the Year of Hillsborough County Public Schools. As principal he has proven his ability to:

• Improve Student Performance;
• Build a Climate and Culture that focuses on Developing the Whole Child;
• Establish Effective and Efficient Methods to Communicate with All Stakeholders;
• Recruit and Retain High Quality Instructors and Support Staff Members;
• Lead as an Operational Expert;
• Gain Access to all Learners with the Objective of Preparing them to become Full Option Graduates;
• Support staff members, students, and community members during the pandemic.