Jesse Maxfield
On Aug. 2, Jesse Maxfield began his post as dean of students at Stebbins High School. But the school was not new to him. Indeed, he has walked the halls many times, as a teacher and a student. In fact, he was born and raised in the district and continues to live there and even went to college locally at Wright State University, where he obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
“I ended up teaching social studies my first year at Greenville City Schools,” Maxfield said. “And that’s where I became licensed as an intervention specialist.”
In the 2008-09 school year, he applied for an intervention specialist post at Stebbins and was hired at his alma mater.
“An intervention specialist works with other teachers and helps students with special needs,” Maxfield said. And though his interest all through high school was social studies, the job in Greenville required the special license. “It’s becoming more of a need since No Child Left Behind came into effect,” Maxfield said. “I was fortunate to get that position. I did gain a lot of experience.”
And though Maxfield’s concentration is no longer just on special needs students, he says he must be prepared to handle all students. “I handle discipline and attendance issues and I act as an instructional leader for staff and students and help prepare them for a successful life after high school,” Maxfield said.
A 2001 Stebbins graduate, Maxfield credits his teachers for fostering a passion for education and giving back to the community. “I always wanted to give back to my home town,” Maxfield said. “To be able to return to the students some of what was given to me has always been a dream of mine.”
Although Maxfield attended Stebbins as a student before the new school building was constructed, he is experiencing firsthand how students are thriving in a state of the art building that opened in 2005.
“The new school is beautiful,” Maxfield said. “It really provides a great opportunity for our students to receive a great education.”
And since the construction project has been completed, the Mad River district has been working diligently toward the excellent rating, which Maxfield says they hope to achieve next year. “We are on the rise and doing some great things here,” he said.
According to Stebbins Principal Ron Flohre, Maxfield is a positive addition to the administrative team. “Jesse, being an alumnus and former student body president like myself, shows the leadership skills that Stebbins has to offer our students.” Flohre said.
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