Hello, Westchester families! My name is Jessica Murdock and I am the parent of a very excited rising 1st grader. I am a veterinarian and spend my professional time ensuring the safety of animal medications, while practicing locally as a small animal veterinarian. I have lived in Decatur since 2008 and have seen this city grow in that time. We used to love taking advantage of so much that this city has to offer, but now are enjoying the together time that quarantine has ensured. I like to spend my own free time running, reading, and spending time outdoors.
 
My interest in becoming a member of the School Leadership Team stems from a desire to give back to the school and community, while getting to know the school, staff, and families it serves. I served as the SLT-PTA liaison during the 2019-2020 school year and was able to be a part of the meetings to give thoughts and feedback. I enjoyed my time with both organizations and would like to continue with the SLT in a more impactful way. I am especially interested in helping the school continue to develop and improve through the school improvement plan. I also hope to provide a parent’s input on navigating the challenges of the school year with consideration to COVID-19 and virtual learning. I feel rewarded by being an advocate for others and hope to make sure that every parent or guardian has the opportunity to have their voice heard in the decisions the team is responsible for making. Being part of a team is how I work best, and I strive to be an approachable, fun, and helpful member of the team.

I’d be grateful for the opportunity to support our amazing WE community by being a member of the SLT. I have worked at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston and Scottish Rite for over 12 years as a Program Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator, specializing in pediatric special events (big and small) and support programming for patient families and community members. My role and various responsibilities at CHOA have provided me chances to engage and connect with people of all age ranges and experiences and I believe that would lend well to serving on the SLT. I’m also the daughter of a kindergarten teacher of over 40 years, so I feel strongly about supporting the relationship and communication between teachers, parents and students however I can.