Jessica Diric began her teaching career in 2001. She has dedicated her time teaching Pre-K up through 9th Grade, in Killeen ISD, Harlandale ISD, and here at The Starr JDS (Formerly TASA). Jessica is a 2001 University of Montana-Western graduate, with her degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education (EC). In 2009, she graduated with her Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University-Texas. Then, in January of 2003, Jessica returned to school to complete her education in School Administration at Schreiner University. Her Texas administrative and teaching certifications include: Principal as an Instructional Leader (Grades EC-12), Elementary Self Contained (Grades 1-8), Early Childhood Education (Grades PK-K), Special Education (Grades EC-12), and English as a Second Language (ESL) (Grades EC-12).

Mrs. Diric, The Starr JDS Principal & Director of General Studies, is also a dedicated teacher at the school. She currently teaches math in the general studies classrooms in the upper grades, as well as working closely with the teachers. As the Director of General Studies, Mrs. Diric enjoys being an active liaison between the teaching staff, parents, the Starr JDS Board, and the community.

Aside from her love of education, Mrs. Diric is a wife to Andy, and a mother of three daughters. Her oldest two, Elena and Avery, are students at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Her youngest daughter, Amaia, is a witty and intelligent Starr JDS student whose favorite subjects are math, science, and Hebrew. Jessica spends her spare time with her family, gardening, walking outdoors, and traveling across the country and around the world!

Mrs. Diric is actively involved in the Partnership2Gether Western Galilee, which is a program of the Jewish Agency and The Jewish Federations of North America. In the spring of 2020 until 2023, she sat as the Chair for the Education Committee, representing the United States. One of the many programs that the Education Committee facilitates is the Education Twinning Program between schools in the United States, Israel and Budapest. The Starr JDS is one of the schools that is partnered with a school in Akko Israel, Bet Sefer Regba, and our students benefit from the long distance relationship.