New Principal Positions Enhance Leadership Opportunities

Two experienced Corbett Prep educators who share a passion for bringing out the best in students joined Head of School Nicholas Rodriguez’s leadership team in July 2021.

Mike Johnson and Jennifer Jagdmann both have spent more than a dozen years in teaching and administrative roles. Johnson, Corbett Prep’s Associate Head of School for the past three years, will continue as Associate Head and now serve as Elementary Principal (PreK3 through 5th grade). Jagdmann, the Middle School Division Leader, takes on additional responsibilities as Middle School Principal (6th through 8th grade).

As principals, both will provide day-to-day academic leadership for the grades they oversee and assume responsibility for Corbett Prep’s curriculum to support students’ educational experiences now and into the future. 

“Mike Johnson and Jennifer Jagdmann have spent their careers becoming master educators,” Rodriguez said when announcing the promotions. “I have been honored to work with these two individuals who exemplify what it means to lead students and teachers to the very best educational experience.” 

​This new structure – a head of school, academic principals and division leaders – will enhance communication and consistency and position leaders to work directly with Corbett Prep teachers, students and families from multiple angles.

Johnson’s 15-year career in education began in Chicago as an elementary STEM coordinator. Johnson holds two master’s degrees, in elementary education and educational leadership, and embraces the lifelong learning mentality that he hopes to instill in students. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in quality management and leadership, researching how to establish the best educational environment for students and faculty.

Johnson joined Corbett Prep as Director of Instructional Technology five years ago and in 2018 was promoted to Associate Head of School. An innovative educator, Johnson always seeks to create teachable moments for students and teachers. 

Jagdmann began her classroom career as a language and literature teacher at Corbett Prep in 2004. Her ability to connect with middle school students resulted in strong class communities during her years in the seventh-grade classroom. Through Corbett Prep’s support and her own desire to further her knowledge in curriculum and instruction, Jagdmann became an International Baccalaureate trainer for the Americas and an international trainer in Concept-Based Curriculum and Education. Her deep understanding of the philosophies of IB and concept-based education as well as Corbett Prep’s culture made her a natural instructional leader of her faculty peers.

In 2015, Jagdmann became the IB Coordinator for the IB Middle Years Programme at Corbett Prep, and three years later she assumed the role of Middle School Division Leader. Her B.S. is in secondary English education, and she completed her M.S. in educational leadership this summer.

Both Johnson and Jagdmann see themselves as “mission-driven leaders” who live the Corbett Prep philosophy to foster children’s capacities for learning and help them grow morally and emotionally as well as physically and intellectually. They are excited to work with educators who strive to continually raise the bar and find new ways to challenge, support and inspire students.