From the Navy to the principal’s office

Many renovations are underway at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton (JWP) High School as new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are being installed, but that is far from the only change students can anticipate as they return this fall.

Many staff members for the 2022-2023 school year are new hires, including Grade 7-12 Principal Jake Hager, who hopes to foster a family-like school community as he enters this role.

After serving in the United States Navy, Hager decided to study education at age 22 and later graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Winona State University.

His first position in education was as a social studies teacher at the Faribault Alternative  Learning Center (ALC). Before becoming JWP’s principal, Hager had spent 3 years as the coordinator at Waseca’s ALC.

“I’ve truly loved everywhere I’ve been,” said Hager, who has decorated his JWP office with student artwork given to him while in Waseca and Faribault. 

While Hager looks forward to the start of the school year, he said that readjusting from a pandemic that created “chaos for students and families” will be challenging.

He notes that many high school students today are two years behind both academically and in terms of social and emotional learning; he is devising plans to address those issues as principal.

“To build the best academic program it all starts at relationships with students, staff, and families,” said Hager. 

As he has prepared plans for the upcoming school year, Hager says he has focused on  connecting with teachers and other staff, especially those who are newly hired.

He regards this as crucial because “as a principal you’re really working with everybody.”

Though he has never before had a job in Janesville, Hager is familiar with the town, with his favorite spots being Wiste’s Meat Market and the Prairie Ridge Golf Course.

One goal Hager has for the upcoming school year is to get on a first-name basis with every single JWP student. 

By promoting unity and strong relationships, Hager hopes to facilitate a learning environment at JWP where students graduate well-equipped to take on the challenges of adulthood.

“It’s not just a school, it’s truly a family between staff, families, and the whole community,” said Hager.