Dr. Jessica Rafidi

Bio

This is my eighth year at Southeastern University. I currently serve as an Assistant Professor in the College of Education and as the coordinator of the MEEL and MEET programs. I am passionate about my family, missions, education, literacy, and instructional leadership. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I'm a proud member of the Steeler Nation!

In 1992, I accepted an opportunity to serve as a short-term missionary teacher at the Jerusalem School in the West Bank. After my assignment, I returned to the U.S. and continued to serve the Lord through teaching, learning, and homeschooling. I completed my MS degree in Educational Leadership in 2007, and then my Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Management in 2012.

While serving overseas, I met my husband, George. We have been married for 32 years and have served as Assemblies of God Home Missionaries since 1996. George serves the General Presbytery as the President of the A/G Arabic Fellowship. I’m involved in my church, Arab Outreach Ministries, as the Pastor’s wife. Over the years, we have planted churches in Jacksonville and Tampa, as well as home fellowships in Daytona, Miami, and Orlando. We have three grown children who are all teachers, and six perfect grandbabies who we adore!

My last administrative position was at Charter Schools USA, where I served as one of the founding administrators of a K-8 school in Ocoee, FL. Leading the implementation of data-driven instruction that improved student learning outcomes through the cycle of teaching, assessment, and reporting allowed me to experience the pleasure of watching children, many of whom were grade levels below proficiency, make significant, consistent, sustainable academic growth.