Harry Jessie is an institution at Marietta Public Schools. He’s been an Indian since
1999, certainly one of the longest-tenured members of the faculty, and shows no signs
of stopping anytime soon.
Jessie graduate from high school at Frederick in 1975 and from there, attended
Cameron University where he earned a degree in Physical Education with a minor in
Psychology.
“I always wanted to be a coach,” Jessie said, and as soon as he finished college, he
began teaching at his alma mater, Frederick High School. From there, he served at
Elgin and Dickson before finding his home in Marietta.
“Since I’ve been at Marietta, I’ve taught and coached a little bit of everything,” Jessie
said. “Elementary PE, middle school history, football, boys’ and girls’ basketball,
baseball, and softball.”
For 25 years, Jessie has invested himself in the lives of thousands of students in the
classroom and on the playing fields, building a legacy of hard work and good character,
and most have only good things to say about him. His principal, Carrie Tucker, is no
exception.
“Coach Jessie is an incredible educator,” Tucker insisted. “He always has a great
attitude and enjoys engaging with our middle school students. We are fortunate to have
such a strong influence with our student body.”
Jessie’s sentiments about the school are similar.
“I really enjoy the school system and the people I work with,” he said, “and I love my
students. Seeing and hearing from former students about how I’ve influenced their lives,
it really touches my heart.”
In addition to his work with the school system, Jessie, who is five-eighths Choctaw,
worked as a summer youth counselor the Chickasaw Nation for many years. Although
his son Kyle has taken that position, Jessie still works for the Chickasaw Tribal Utility
Authority during the summers.
“I’m proud of my heritage and hope I can inspire Natives to take advantage of the
opportunities that the tribe has for them to be successful,” he said.
Jessie enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family, particularly his wife of
40 years, Delores, and his granddaughter.