Jonathan McDade is new Jerabek principal
By: Ashley Shah
Jonathan McDade is the new Jerabek Elementary School principal this school year. McDade has a strong connection to the Scripps Ranch community since he has been a resident for more than 20 years.
“I raised my kids in Scripps Ranch. I had the privilege of being a part of the Jerabek community because I sent both of my kids there,” McDade said. “Scripps Ranch is fully dedicated to students and civil activity. Students become advocates and have growing voices in the community and globally.”
McDade described what he looks forward to the most as principal for Jerabek Elementary.
“I’ve said it before, but Scripps Ranch is a community that makes a difference. I am looking forward to seeing the collective efforts of everyone to make a difference in our children’s lives,” he said. “I’m not coming in with a specific agenda. I am looking to talk to the parents and students to see what changes they would like to make. I want to implement what the community wants.”
He further described how the approach to his new role strongly focuses on incorporating feedback from the families at Jerabek.
“I’m looking at how we can build a school that meets the needs of our kids today. It’s not what I want, it’s the vision of the community,” he said. “I’m looking into how we can enhance our Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEAM) labs and program; how can we make visual and performing arts accessible to all students, so that it can reach them at a young age; how can we get our students involved in civil activity to get their voices out there.”
Jerabek has more than 700 students this year.
McDade explained that he is looking forward to learning more about the students.
“I am definitely facing some changes coming to Jerabek. There is a level of change from my last school, but that is what I wanted. I wanted to go back to elementary school. I really wanted to understand what the new generation of learners need. We have three pre-kindergarten classrooms. I want to learn how to suit the next generation of learners,” he said.
McDade served as the principal at Correia Middle School for the past 11 years. Prior to that, he served as principal for Dailard Elementary School and for Franklin Elementary School. Before serving as a principal at any school, he served as vice principal at Adams Elementary School. He began his career as an elementary school teacher.
“Elementary school is where I wanted to be, so that I could make an impact early on with student learning,” McDade said.
McDade received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from San Diego State University (SDSU). He furthered his education at SDSU by receiving his Administrative Services Credential and his Master’s in Education Sciences from National University.