Aces of Trades: Gisele James hopes to make the world a better place through Newark's Par Excellence Academy
NEWARK – For her, it’s about making the world a better place.
“I was a voracious reader and loved the library,” recalled Gisele James. “I was also a bookworm and animal lover! I loved horses, figure 8 racing, and I showed my dog in 4H.”
“I dreamed of being a veterinarian, a doctor, or an attorney,” she added. “I always wanted to speak different languages and travel the world. I most enjoyed writing stories and wanted to write a book! I was always thinking about how to make this world a better place.”
Today, James is superintendent of Par Excellence Academy.
“I thought school was boring and could not have imagined being in education,” she said. “I used to get in trouble for bringing books from home to read at school. But when I had my son and wanted to spend more time with him, I knew teachers had the summers off, so I thought I would try it!”
James grew up in Gahanna, graduated from Gahanna Lincoln High School in 1980, then Ohio State, Franklin University and Ashland University. She has a BS in business administration, marketing and education, and a master’s in educational leadership.
“I started out as a substitute teacher of a class of non-traditional students who did not like school,” she said. “I immediately fell in love with my students and was excited about planning fun and engaging lessons!”
“Before I started teaching at Reynoldsburg City Schools,” she added, “I was a professional trainer, corporate trainer and speaker. I traveled a lot! Then I was asked to speak at an anti-klan rally event in Newark by Pastor Doctor Charles Noble. After the event, he asked me to be a principal at Par. I had already committed to going to Florida because my husband had a new job. But after 3 years, I came back to Ohio and Pastor Doctor Noble called me and offered the job to me again – and here I am 13 years later!”
One of her co-workers all those years has been Sara Arends, the Title I Coordinator at Par.
“Some words that come to mind when I think about Gisele are visionary, goal oriented, peaceful, and caring,” assessed Arends. “When I first met Gisele, I knew she was going to be the perfect fit to bring the dreams of Par Excellence Academy alive.”
“Gisele is truly inspirational,” Arends continued. “I’ve seen her time and time again make her dreams and vision for the school come true. She wants the best for her students and staff. She always puts the school and students first. I honestly could go on and on about Gisele and all the wonderful things she’s accomplished with our school.”
“My heart beats for Par,” James responded. “I get so much love from the Par students and families. I could not imagine any other place to work. I feel I’m truly making a difference in the world and making the world a better place!”
“I feel I have been divinely led and guided!” she concluded. “I love coming to work every day! I do it because I love to see children inspired and learning with joy! I can see their eyes light up when they learn something new.”
For more
Par Excellence Academy is located at 1350 Granville Rd. in Newark. For more information, log on www.parexcellenceacademy.org.
Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs – whether they’re unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at advocate@newarkadvocate.com or 740-328-8821.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Aces: James hopes to improve the world through Newark's Par Excellence
