Jessica M. Cabeen

Jessica M. Cabeen is an educational leader, author, and principal serving as Principal of Alternative Education Programs and Austin Online Academy in Austin, Minnesota. She has previously served as principal of Ellis Middle School and the Woodson Kindergarten Center—known as the “Happiest Place in Southeastern Minnesota”—and has also worked as an assistant middle school principal, special education supervisor/assistant director, and special education teacher. She has been recognized with multiple honors, including the NAESP/VINCI Digital Leader of Early Learning Award (2016), Minnesota National Distinguished Principal (2017), and ED Dive National Principal of the Year (2021), and is a NAESP Middle-Level Fellow and Future Ready Principal.

Cabeen is the author or co-author of several books on leadership and education, including Principal in Balance: Leading at Work and Living a Life (2023), Hacking Early Learning, Balance Like a Pirate, Unconventional Leadership, and Lead with Grace: Leaning into the Soft Skills of Leadership. She frequently writes and speaks on topics such as early learning, family engagement, and sustainable school leadership and is a contributor to outlets including Edutopia and other education-focused platforms.