For Jill Bigelow, Monclova Primary School isn’t just a workplace—it’s home. A proud alum of Anthony Wayne Local Schools (AWLS), she attended the District from kindergarten through 12th grade before earning a full-ride swimming scholarship to the University of Akron. After completing her undergraduate degree, she pursued her master’s at Bowling Green State University.
Her career in education began where it all started: “My first teaching position was here as a kindergarten teacher. I later taught first grade before becoming the Dean of Students. I’ve now been at Monclova for 20 years, with 11 of them as the Dean,” she shared.
While Jill’s parents and family also live in the District, she has also put down new roots with her own family. Her husband works at AW Junior High and her children, in grades 8 and 5 attend here.
A Natural Transition to Leadership
While the role of Dean of Students wasn’t initially on her radar, Jill’s path to leadership was paved by a trusted mentor.
“Bethany Swift was the building principal at that time and planted the seed. She suggested that my educational philosophy and personality would be a good fit,” Jill said. “She was the one who encouraged me to apply, and I took the leap of faith.”
Though she sometimes misses the close-knit dynamic of classroom teaching, she’s found fulfillment in her leadership position.
“I really enjoy the leadership role too. Bethany was right—it really is a good fit.”
The Many Hats of a Dean of Students
Her role, she explains, is akin to that of an assistant principal but “fancier.”
“The Deans in the District wear a lot of different hats, and each is a little different,” she says. Whether coordinating PBIS initiatives, overseeing testing, or analyzing data to improve student outcomes, her day-to-day work is full of variety.
“I have a passion for classroom technology and supporting teachers as they integrate new software and hardware,” she said. “I get to teach and support them as they get the students up to speed.”
Her “wheelhouse,” however, is helping students navigate behavioral challenges and social-emotional learning.
“I like the challenge of learning what drives a student, what motivates them, and what they need to be successful at school,” she explained. Beyond behavioral coaching and discipline, she does a lot of work behind the scenes to support IEPs, 504s, and MTSS interventions, and hosts “Dining with the Dean”—a small-group lunch where students build rapport in a positive environment.
“I get to see students in a lot of different places—whether it’s the bus lot in the morning, out on the playground, in the classroom, or helping in the lunchroom,” she said. “I open a lot of milk containers and zip up coats, and also see many smiles and get plenty of hugs.”
Building a Positive School Culture
Monclova Primary’s close-knit environment is a source of pride, something she attributes to both the staff’s longevity and strong leadership.
“This building used to be one hallway with a handful of farm kids. We grew very fast and had to hire a lot of teachers, but by now most of the staff has been here together for 20 years and we all kind of grew up together in a way,” she said. “We’ve celebrated each other’s weddings and births and weathered some sad times, and along the way, we became like family.”
Jill emphasized that the collaborative and positive begins at the top.
“Betsey [Murry]’s leadership is amazing. You can tell she is really passionate about her work and enjoys it. She works hard to make staff feel well supported,” she says. “Whether it’s for the students or staff, a big part of my role is helping her create a positive school culture. People know they can bring me ideas, and I will take them and run with them.”
Supporting Social and Emotional Growth
In today’s fast-paced world, she recognizes the challenges students face, including big emotions brought from outside the classroom.
“We really work to teach them how to identify what they are feeling and how to regulate those emotions,” she explained. “It’s okay to be sad or mad, but we need to think about how our feelings and actions can hurt others—and how to get back to a place where you’re ready to learn.”
Her team uses proactive strategies, like brain breaks or physical activities, to help students deescalate and refocus.
“It helps to remember that these are little kids between five and 10 years old. They are still learning and trying to figure things out. We are here to help them when they need that extra support.”
Pride in the Staff and Community
When asked about accomplishments she’s most proud of, it isn’t just about academics or test scores—though those are significant.
“I wish our community understood just how committed and generous our staff members are,” she said. “They support kids at school and then show up at after-school events to cheer for them. I’ve seen them buy coats and shoes for kids that need them, and they just raised $3,000 to donate to community members in need. They genuinely care about people and each other, and I’m pretty proud of that.”
Aside from their generous nature, Jill is also proud of the way Monclova’s teachers remain flexible to meeting the needs of their students.
“Our staff is really good at identifying how to meet students where they are,” she said. “In just one lesson you might see students challenged to work independently, others working in a small group with peers or with the teacher, and some getting more individualized instruction.”
Navigating Change in Education
Reflecting on her years in education, she acknowledges the rapid changes. From advancements in technology and evolving curricula to shifts in family dynamics, schools have had to adapt.
“Kindergarten, for example, used to be very play-based—now it’s more academically focused. Families are busier than ever, and kids have so much structured time that they don’t always get to just play and be kids,” she observed.
Communication has also changed dramatically. “It used to be that we’d get a phone call to set up an in-person appointment. Now, parents will text during the school day. It’s important to meet parents where they are—things have changed.”
A Rewarding Career
When asked what she wants the community to know, Jill’s answer is simple: “We care about each other and really care for the kids…and they are happy at school.”
Jill said that while they get to watch students grow over the five years they attend Monclova Primary, it’s always great to catch up with students as they develop into young adults.
“My first kindergarten students are now 25 years old. They have graduated college and are doing really big things,” she said. “It’s fun to reconnect and see how much they have changed and hear about their lives.”
Jill said that while there can be some tough days as an educator, it’s a rewarding experience.
“I also want people to know it’s a great career,” she said. “It sometimes feels like teaching and teachers do not get enough credit, but working with the kids is very rewarding and we are blessed to have the staff that we have.”