Shortly after Trojan students and staff said goodbye earlier this semester to Assistant Principal Jacqueline Collis, her replacement returned to JHop.

Before coming to JHop as the administrator over seventh grade, Jacqueline Harding was a math coach and algebra teacher. This school is familiar territory for Harding, who taught at JHop in 2020 before moving on to Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School.

Harding said she had a great first impression of JHop five years ago and still feels the same now.

“I love the culture here,” she said. “I love working with students, and when I came back it was a great feeling of fresh air.”

Harding has followed a long path to becoming an administrator. She attended college and SUNY Plattsburgh in New York state, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s in secondary education. After moving to Florida to continue her teaching career, she earned a degree in educational leadership from Barry University.

Harding said she enjoys the learning environment that JHop provides for students.

“The learning environment here at John Hopkins Middle School is quite unique,” she said. “You have so many opportunities that most students don’t, and you have teachers who are passionate about you and want you to succeed.”

Harding said she wants to make a positive impact and help the school improve.

“My main goal is to make sure I can continue to make things great at John Hopkins Middle School,” she said.