Jesica Gierke was born in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and moved to Chicago with her family when she was twelve years old. There she met her future husband, David, who would eventually become her best friend and partner in life. Jes earned dual degrees in Marketing and Management from the University of Illinois at Chicago and later studied abroad at the Complutense University of Madrid, where she deepened her love for language, culture, and lifelong learning.
After college, Jes worked in international education, helping students pursue study abroad opportunities, and later served in the Financial Aid Office at The University of Texas at San Antonio, where she helped students navigate the path to higher education. Along the way, she also became a business owner, tutor, volunteer Spanish program coordinator, homeschool educator, co-op tutor, and co-op director.
When Jes and her family discovered Studio Prep, they immediately recognized something special. The school’s commitment to learner-driven education, character development, and meaningful relationships aligned closely with the values they had cultivated throughout their homeschooling journey. What began as a desire for her children to attend soon became an opportunity to serve the community herself as a Spanish Guide and Director of Admissions.
Jes is passionate about helping students and families discover their unique gifts and take ownership of their educational journey. She loves creating meaningful learning experiences, encouraging curiosity, and building strong relationships within the Studio Prep community. Outside the studio, she enjoys reading, gardening, crocheting, traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Education & Qualifications:
- B.S. in Marketing and Management, University of Illinois at Chicago
- Diploma of Spanish Language Proficiency, Instituto Cervantes and the Ministry of Education of Spain
- TExES EC-4 Generalist Certification & TExES Bilingual Education Supplemental EC-4 Certification
- Fluent in English and Spanish