HUDSON- First-year coordinator of guidance Jessica Russ’ first impression of Hudson High School was the Class of 2025 seniors’ final walk from the building on their last day of school.
As the halls filled with cheers and music, the moment inspired her. She knew that Hudson High had the community of students and teachers that she wanted to be involved in.
“When I came for my interview, I had a great group of staff and students that I met with who were very welcoming, and I just got to see a positive sense of community,” Russ said.
The faculty influenced her and made her want to look more into the district.
“I had looked online on websites and social media. I saw a lot of good things that Hudson was doing, and I felt like this was somewhere that I would enjoy being,” Russ said.
Russ’ current goal at Hudson High is to help students by offering opportunities that open doors for life after graduation, no matter what their pathways may be.
“I think my goal is just always to try to help students have positive and meaningful experiences while in high school,” Russ said.
She had always known that she wanted to do something related to teaching, but when she started studying psychology, her plans began to change.
“I always thought I was going to go maybe more down the teacher route, and I used to teach dance and things like that. And then as I went into psych, I realized that I still wanted to work in a school setting, so that’s where school counseling came in,” Russ said.
Russ said she likes being in the counseling department because there’s a lot of variety and she gets to work with both teachers and students in different ways.
Russ drives to and from New Hampshire each day, so she listens to her favorite artists during her commute.
“I really like music and going to concerts. I have a one-hour drive, so that’s usually my time to listen to my music,” Russ said.
In her free time, Russ likes hiking, exercising, dancing and lifting weights. She also enjoys spending time with her family, playing games and having fun.
Another accomplishment she is proud of outside of teaching is her degree in dance.
“I think sometimes people are surprised to know that I have a bachelor’s degree in dance. I’ve taught dance for many years,” Russ said.
Russ spent a month in Los Angeles for dance opportunities, but being involved in a school setting was something she enjoyed more.
“Once I came here and met people and I had done some research, I felt like it would be a good fit,” Russ said.
