principal. This was tough for many as she was very well-liked and respected by staff, students and parents at Rose.

     Upon her departure, Rose Instructional Coach Michael Flinchbaugh recalled what an inclusive environment that Jacobson created.

     “She helps to create a school that is fair and supportive to all,” Flinchbaugh said. “I would like to think that all students feel welcome and comfortable at Rose and feel that they can be successful here and I think that comes a lot from her leadership.”

     Jacobson went on to pursue a job at the Pitt County Schools Central Office.

     “I am the director of secondary education so I have the responsibility of supporting our middle schools, our high schools and also our K-8 schools with [just] their middle school programs,” Jacobson said.

     The main role Jacobson plays in this position is supporting the middle and high schools in Pitt County. She works very closely with the principals of each school to aid in instructional areas.

     “This also allows me the opportunity to work with all of the schools’ instructional coaches and through them I’m working with the teachers,” Jacobson said. “We have another department that works more closely with professional development for our assistant principals and I coordinate with them as well.”

     In this role, Jacobson finds that sometimes it can be challenging to find the best way to support each student, so she collaborates with each school to make the best decision.

     “I work closely with the lead counselors at the high schools to see where I can help find a way and the means to keep students on track to graduation, and help prepare them for whatever their path is after graduation,” Jacobson said.

     While Jacobson misses being in the school building and with students each day, she believes that her current position has a larger impact.

     “It's not just at one school, I get to serve our students and their families in a bigger capacity in this new role,” Jacobson said.

     Jacobson’s dedication to students has not waivered since she left Rose, and she is constantly thinking of ways to aid in their success.

     “It’s always a huge time commitment in education because we are always wondering what the next best thing is to help students,” Jacobson said. “Anytime you work in education, your day doesn't end when a bell rings, whether you're in a school building or not.”

     Former Advanced Placement United States History teacher Amity Kea also began working at the central office this year. She and Jacobson have since been able to reconnect.

     “We started out as colleagues…because we were both social studies teachers and as I had other positions at Rose we continued to work together on different projects so we jumped right into it when she transitioned into this position,” Jacobson said. “We work directly with one another so I see Mrs. Kea almost every day and we are very happy to have her in our department.” 

     Jacobson is extremely thankful for her years at Rose. She loved being here, but she always knew Rose would not be where her career would stop. She is still learning so much in her current position, but she is open to what the future holds.

     “Whenever there's a possibility where I can help in education at a bigger capacity, I would possibly entertain that opportunity, but right now my commitment is to working at central office, in this position and just getting better at supporting the schools,” Jacobson said.

     Jacobson offers everyone at Rose one piece of advice:

     “Remember why you do what you do because you are always going to be faced with challenges,” Jacobson said. “If you can think back to what it was and why you are doing what you do, it helps you reprioritize and get yourself back aligned with what your goals are.”

     While Jacobson is happy in her new chapter, she is confident Rose will continue to be an amazing school.

     “Great things are continuing to happen at Rose and I wish everybody well,” Jacobson said.