Jessie Spurgeon, CAPP, MAPP

Education:

  • Ed.D COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP in Higher Education | University of Miami
  • M.A. APPLIED POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY | University of Pennsylvania
  • B.A. ELEMENTARY EDUCATION | Boise State University
  • B.S. HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY | University of Oregon

Certifications:

  • K-8 Teaching Credential
  • Higher Education Clinical Instructor
  • Trauma-Informed Yoga for Youth
  • CrossFit Kids Trainer
  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
  • American Council on Exercise – Personal Trainer

Location: Boise, Idaho

Professional Experience:

Jessie has professional experience as a Clinical Instructor in Teacher Education, a Professional Development Educator, a PreK–6th Intervention Specialist, a PreK–6th Title I Interventionist, a Teacher Candidate Mentor, and a K–8 Elementary Educator.

My Story:

My journey in supporting positive psychology started with my early career decision of ditching a medical-focused career and diving into a world of happiness, hope, and humanness within Elementary Education. While I was initially intrigued with supporting health, I intuitively recognized that the path of medicine was not for me. Instead, I chose a career which allowed me to positively support kiddos’ social, emotional, and academic growth.

But I also recognized that my teacher toolbox was limited. I needed to expand my own knowledge on the science of well-being in order to best support students in building a learner mindset and the resiliency skills they so desperately deserved to know. That led me to ditch the siloed, traditionally-focused Master’s in Education program I was enrolled in and begin my journey in the Master’s of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program at the University of Pennsylvania.

I often say that Positive Psychology saved my life. It most certainly provided me skills to sustain my own resiliency when my brother unexpectedly passed away the Fall after I completed MAPP. I know I would not have made it through the initial years of grief—and come out on the other side—with the same level of emotional, physical, or mental capacity that I hold today. My resilience and desire to persist is a testament to Positive Psychology.

Indeed, learning the principles and tenets of Positive Psychology has literally allowed me to broaden and build my own life, as well as my teaching practices. Never did I think that pursuing a doctorate would be of interest or even a potential option for me until, one day during my Research and Statistical Methods course, Angela Duckworth turned to the group I was collaborating with and off-handedly inquired about whether we would be interested in getting a doctoral degree.

Ultimately, this off-handed comment drove my curiosity about and interest in Isaac Prillentensky’s Community Leadership and Higher Education EdD program at the University of Miami. My research focuses on building preservice teachers’ resilience through written reflective practices. I implement these strategies with the preservice teachers that I am fortunate enough to serve and teach. Working to support teacher education programs is a passion and has been a goal of mine since I first learned about the power of Positive Psychology and the impact that Positive Education has within the walls of classrooms world-wide.

As a lifelong learner, dedicated Title I elementary educator, and positive psychology practitioner, my professional purpose is to share the tenets of positive education and the science of well-being while concurrently working to disassemble oppressive educational landscapes and bolstering opportunities for historically marginalized students and teachers.

My greatest passion is supporting the development of resiliency skills in teachers, students, and communities.   Specifically, I believe that professional longevity, engagement, and effectiveness in the field of education may be sustained by teachers who learn about and within systems which prioritize empowerment and learner-centered practices and supports.

Words of Wisdom:

  • Remain soft towards individuals and armored against systems.
  • “We all do better when we all do better.” – Paul Wellstone
  • “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” – Rumi
  • “When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts.” – Dalai Lama

Morning Ritual:

Watch my favorite reality TV shows while I cuddle my dogs and drink a big cup of coffee.

A Little Known Fact About Me…

I went scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef on my 12th birthday.

My Top Character Strengths:

  • Hope
  • Gratitude
  • Curiosity
  • Social Intelligence
  • Creativity