Principal's Message

We are the Whittier Wizards of 21st Century Learning! 

It is a pleasure to lead John G. Whittier Elementary School for a 5th year as principal. I’m privileged to work alongside dedicated teachers and support and classified staff in service to our community. During my tenure, I’ve been fortunate to be part of a team making strides in providing 21st century learning opportunities that foster equity and excellence, innovation and continuous improvement. 

Our school has flourished through partnerships with CSULB Arts and Athletics, Khmer Parent Association, Iridescent Learning and the AI Family Challenge, Laserfishe, Femineering with Cal Poly Pomona, robotics and computer science through Project Lead the Way and Shared Science, Days Long Beach, Flourishing Families, The Children’s Clinic and more. These partnerships are critical to providing opportunities to supplement and enrich the educational experience of our students and families. 

We continue to develop a STEAM program that stretches critical and creative thinking for all students and establishes equitable opportunities for them to pursue these interests aligned to LBUSD’s College and Career Readiness Initiative. We’re looking forward to re-establishing our science and engineering labs and art and design studios after Whittier’s construction projects are complete in the summer of 2023. Whittier develops and supports the whole child through an articulated multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) that addresses both academic and social-emotional growth of every child. Whittier’s Female Leadership Academy is another example of promoting equity and excellence through opportunity to develop leadership skills and acts of community service.  

It is with deep appreciation, I express my gratitude for our continuing efforts to create and cultivate a school culture with students at the center and their preparation, foundation and continual success here and beyond as our top priority. This is our vision, mission and #TheWhittierWay for every Wizard!       

Mr. Jespersen

Proud Principal 

John G. Whittier Elementary