Welcome to Thomas Jefferson middle School! My name is Nick DeBaker, and I am proud to serve the students, staff and families of this amazing community.
I have been an educator for 17 years. To me, it is more than a passion - it's in my blood. Which is kind of ironic, since growing up school wasn't really my thing. The only subject I ever really enjoyed was history. So when it came time to go to college, I enrolled in UW-Parkside to study history and when I graduated in 2007, I began my teaching career as a social studies teacher at Gilmore Middle School in Racine, WI. From there, I was hooked. While teaching at Gilmore, I attended Carthage College to earn a Master's Degree in educational leadership. After four years of teaching, I became the assistant principal of Gilmore Middle School at age 28. I spent two years there before heading to Case High School in Racine where I was an Academy Principal for five years.
In 2019, my wife and I relocated to Port Washington where I spent the first three years as the principal at Kohler Middle and High School. I made one quick stop, back to Racine in 2022, as the Executive Director of Leadership Development where I helped principals grow their leadership skills before calling Thomas Jefferson home in the fall of 2023.
I have worked at some of the toughest schools in our state and some of the very best and I truly believe that all students can succeed - no matter what. At Thomas Jefferson, every student is empowered to achieve their full potential. It's not just about reading, writing, and math. It is about creating a place that students and staff feel safe and welcome. It is about creating a place where student want to be. A place where they grow and learn and even have a little fun along the way.
And I don't do it alone. TJMS has some of the most passionate and dedicated educators and staff that ensure every student succeeds, every day. I am a firm believer in collaborative leadership. I foster a culture of open communication and teamwork. By working closely with teachers, parents, and students, my goal every day is to create a supportive environment that encourages creativity and curiosity.
Outside of work you can find me at the local coffee shop, exploring downtown Port Washington with my wife Emily and kids Izzy (13), Jackson (11), and Adam (2) or making maple syrup in my backyard. When we moved here 5 years ago we fell in love with this community right away, and we hope to always call it home.
So come check us out! In addition to the information found on our website, we invite you to contact us for further information about our great school and/or schedule a tour. We are so proud of the work that goes on at TJ! GO JAGUARS!
Nick DeBaker
TJMS Principal
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