Hello James L. Day Middle School Defenders! 

My name is Mrs. Jackie Schmidt and I am very excited and honored to be joining the DMS team for the 2022-2023 school year. This year marks my 17th year in TVUSD and 21st in education. I earned a BA in Speech Communication from Point Loma Nazarene College, an M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, English from George Mason University, and an MA.Ed. Educational Administration from Concordia University-Irvine.  I have had the privilege to serve the past 14 years at Chaparral High School, and prior to CHS I was at Great Oak HS and Granite Hills HS in the Grossmont Union High School District. My primary role was as an English teacher teaching English 9-12, AP, ASB, Yearbook, Speech & Debate and AVID, and I also served in multiple leadership roles including C&I and ELA PLC leadership, Assistant Activities Director, Yearbook adviser, SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) adviser, teacher candidate mentor, and Assistant Athletic Director. I have been honored with Chaparral Teacher of the Year, TVUSD High School Teacher of the Year, LDS Crystal Apple Award, and SADD National Adviser of the Year. 

I have an amazing family. My husband, Kelly, and I have been married for 20 years and raised our three children in Temecula. Jacob, class of 2020, and twins Savannah and Tyler, class of 2021, all graduated from Chaparral High School where they were challenged with rigorous curriculum and engaged in multiple extracurricular activities and athletics. They are now working and in college pursuing their own passions. When we are not in school, I enjoy reading and being outside on the water, cheering on the Steelers and Lakers, and going to concerts.

As a parent, educator and mentor, I am dedicated to ensuring that school is a place where students love learning, are given opportunities to engage and critically think, connect and develop positive relationships with peers and staff, and are equipped with skills and tools that will allow them to achieve their full potential. I am looking forward to building strong relationships with the entire Defender community. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns that may arise. It’s going to be a great year! 

Defender Strong!

Mrs. Jackie Schmidt

Assistant Principal

Email: jschmidt1@tvusd.us