Jessica currently serves as the principal of Ellis Middle School in Austin, Minnesota. Prior to
this role she was the Principal of the "Happiest Place in Southeastern Minnesota", the
Woodson Kindergarten Center. She has been an assistant middle school principal, a special
education supervisor, and special education teacher. She started her career as a Music
Therapist and worked with adults with disabilities and adolescents in residential settings
in Iowa and Illinois. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Music Therapy from the University of
Wisconsin-Eau Claire, a Masters in Special Education from the University of Saint Thomas,
and her administrative licenses from Hamline University.
Jessica was awarded the NAESP/VINCI Digital Leader of Early Learning Award in 2016 and
in 2017 was named the Minnesota National Distinguished Principal. Jessica is active on
social media (@JessicaCabeen) and co-moderates #ECEChat as well as engages with other
educators looking to make all things possible for our young learners, and learners that are
young at heart.
She has written two books: Hacking Early Learning and Balance Like a Pirate . Her third
book Unconventional Leadership will be released in 2019. She has been the principal
facilitator for the Minnesota PreK-3 Principal Leadership Series for the past four years and
is a facilitator of the Minnesota Principal Academy. She speaks at regional and national
conferences on topics such as family engagement, early learning, and unconventional
leadership.