Meet the Principal

Michelle Sumner - Site Principal at West Intermediate

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Welcome to JWI! I’m excited to share a bit about me and about JWI.  I graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Applied Behavioral Studies with an emphasis on gifted education.  I received my principal’s certification from NSU.  I started my career as a first grade teacher at West Elementary.  In my tenure here at Jenks, I have also taught third grade and have served as a gifted and talented teacher and lab specialist.  I also was selected to become a Peer to Peer Coach for the district which allowed me to share best practice strategies with other teachers across the district.  I became an Instructional Lead teacher when West Intermediate School opened and moved into the role of a Curriculum Resource Instructor before assuming the role of JWI site principal in 2000.  In 2016, I was honored to represent the state of Oklahoma in Washington D.C. as Oklahoma’s National Distinguished Principal. As for my personal life,  I married my high-school sweetheart, Brett, and we have two great kiddos, Ashley and Matt, who are both married and live nearby.  Brett and I also have our first grandchild.  So if you are in the office, you will have to come see his pictures.  He, of course, is PRECIOUS and AMAZING! 

If I had to sum up JWI, which would be hard to do, I would share that JWI is blessed to have a staff that embraces the mission of JPS with regard to educating students in an ever-changing world.  This staff offer optimism amid challenging times.  I liken my staff to this metaphor: At 211 degrees, water is hot.  At 212 degrees, it boils. It is that “EXTRA” degree that makes the difference and brings an ordinary staff to an extraordinary one.  They are always giving something “extra” to help students succeed.  Our site believes in the power of “we” and share a strong vision for providing support and encouragement to each other, to our students and to our families.  We value the input we receive from everyone and try to be reflective in our practices and refine our work based on feedback.  One of our main areas of focus is to Bring Curiosity Back!  We all remember how curious those kindergarten students can be and we want to bring that curiosity and ability to ponder questions back to fifth and sixth grade students.  So, you will find many opportunities for students to follow inquiries and curiosities as they spend their two years at JWI.