Turning a new page; Launch of Cabeen book at Sweet Reads
Published 8:25 am Thursday, April 26, 2018
- Woodson Kindergarten Center Principal Jessica Cabeen has jumped into the world of authorship with her first book, “Hacking Early Learning: 10 Building Blocks to Success in PreK-3 That All Teachers and School Leaders Should Know.” Photos by Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Woodson Kindergarten Center principal, Jessica Cabeen, has a quote hanging over her desk that says, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
Cabeen is the first to admit that taking a step out of Woodson — not for good, we assure you — and into the world of authorship was a scary step.
“I had to jump right off that ledge,” she said with a chuckle.
But as with much of what Cabeen does, she was successful. “Hacking Early Learning: 10 Building Blocks to Success in PreK-3 That All Teachers and School Leaders Should Know,” launched April 26 at Sweet Reads Book Store and Candy in Austin.
Ironically, the jumping off point for Cabeen’s book comes from what she didn’t know, rather than what she did know, when she became the Woodson principal after serving at Ellis Middle School.
“This (book) is about everything I wish I’d known before I started” as the Woodson principal, Cabeen said Wednesday. She credits a caring and intelligent staff and other supports for being able to succeed in the position. Cabeen, active in education leadership in the state, earned the National Distinguished Principal for Minnesota in 2017.
She is also a strong advocate for preschool education, and was asked to speak before the state legislature alongside Gov. Mark Dayton on its importance.
Woodson Kindergarten principal Jessica Cabeen began her first book, “Hacking Early Learning: 10 Building Blocks to Success in PreK-3 That All Teachers and School Leaders Should Know,” about a year ago and will soon be starting her second. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The book has 10 considerations for its readers, in the areas of programming, teaching and learning, she said. When she submitted a rough draft to the Hack Learning Series, her book was immediately accepted.
Just after spring break, the book arrived “and it happened that my whole family was there” when it came.
“It was awesome,” she said, adding her two children got a kick out of seeing their names in the acknowledgements.
Cabeen is in the midst of writing her second book, which she is co-authoring with two other principals. The focus is on “regaining balance as an educator,” she said, noting that some teachers give everything to the profession but sacrifice too much in their personal lives.
“This book is about self-care, how to achieve that balance,” she said.
But she firmly says that her first and best job is as principal of 400 kindergarten students.
“Writing books is fun,” but added she could never leave education.
“That’s who I am,” she said.
