Spotlight on Jessenia Perez

Jessenia Perez is an Educational Assistant for ESD 112’s School Programs department.

How long have you worked for ESD 112 and what does your job entail?
This is my third year working for ESD 112. I work at the Cowlitz County Youth Services Center as an Instruction Assistant. I work with incarcerated youth; we try to focus on credit recovery and GED preparation.

What do you like best about your job?
The best part about my job is being able to remove students from their life circumstances, their addictions and their worries and allowing them to just be a student for the day.

What do you find most challenging about your job?
The most challenging part about my job is working through each student’s individual problems and needs. Each student is facing a number of struggles in their life, and my challenge is not only meeting them where they are at, but also providing support that will help them overcome each problem and gain life skills that will help them be successful in their future.

What do you consider to be your greatest on-the-job skill or asset?
My greatest asset is my life experience. I have had a very similar life to most of the kids I work with on a day-to-day basis. It has allowed me to relate to the students in a special way and I have used my story so much throughout my time here. I tell the students, the only difference between my life and theirs are the choices we have each chosen to make.

Single? Married? Kids? Pets?
I have an amazing, long-time boyfriend, Jesse. We have a chocolate lab and a kitten at home that we adore.

What do you enjoy doing with your free time?

Apart from my other job at Kelso High School and night school at Lower Columbia College, I love to garden and volunteer. I also make candles and all natural soaps from home.

What is something that no one would guess about you if they just met you?
Most people would not guess that I work inside a detention center because of how young I look. When people first meet me, they think I am 17 years old, not 21 years old.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and how would you use it?

If I could have one super power I would choose to see into the future. I would want to show people what their future could hold. I would use it to help motivate people who feel stuck in their current situations. I think if people could learn not to allow circumstances to define their futures the world would be a better place.

If you could speak another language, which would it be and why?
I speak two languages currently, but if I could pick one more language, I would choose ASL.

What did you want to be when you were little?

When I was little, I wanted to be a detective. My step-mom used to watch a lot of Law and Order Special victims unit so it became my favorite show.

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever lived?

I lived in Michoacán, Mexico for some time when I was a child. The upbringing I had as a little girl in Mexico has provided me with so many beneficial characteristics as an adult now. I am so thankful to have such a beautifully diverse life and an understanding about the world that most people my age don’t have.

What future events are you looking forward to?

I am looking forward to finishing my degree in Elementary Education and becoming a teacher.