Staff Spotlight: Jackie Weatherspoon

Courtesy of Forrest Zeng

By LOGAN BECKERLE, ANGELA HE, and KEVIN THANT

A jangling set of keys and a warm smile is the image most students associate with Mrs. Jackie Weatherspoon. Along with her husband, former Dean of Students Russell Weatherspoon, the two have been iconic on campus for the past 37 years. Following retirement, J. Weatherspoon is now back in Exeter, this time as a building monitor in the Elizabeth Phillips Academy Center (EPAC). Many recognize her roaming EPAC, opening locked doors, and making sure students clean up after themselves. But behind this is a woman of incredible character and accomplishment that few know.

“I think I’ve had more jobs than anyone else at this school,” J. Weatherspoon said, which couldn’t be more accurate. She has worked in admissions, alum affairs, HR, the library, Bowld, and more. “The only department I haven’t worked in is probably the steam room,” she added. 

One might think a career spanning 37 years would require a break from the school. However, J. Weatherspoon’s reason to remain at Exeter goes beyond nostalgic sentiment.

“I was given the honor this year to be one of the four electoral college voters [for the state],” J. Weatherspoon responded, when asked about why she came back, “so part of the stipulation for that position is you have to live here.” 

It might seem a surprise to many that one of New Hampshire’s four electoral college voters is the same person who opened the door for their club because the room was locked.

Her political career is not limited to this year’s election. J. Weatherspoon has run for office, is in the League of Women Voters and the League of Craftsmen Voters, has worked for the State Department, and has served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives for six years. Her name is on the Martin Luther King Day Bill. 

Outside of the United States, she has represented the United Nations and gone to Bosnia and Herzegovina, working with international organizations to put together elections as senior election officer and senior international gender specialist for elections. After returning, she had two appointments working on the federal Civil Rights Advisory Board. 

“If I wanted to be involved in politics, I had to learn how to be true to myself, which I did, and I’m still doing,” J. Weatherspoon declared. 

She placed pride in her role as an electoral college voter and “that this is part of our family’s history, especially [for] our granddaughters, and especially our youngest granddaughter, Jee-Ah—to know I fought for this space for her and our other four granddaughters in Atlanta.”

J. Weatherspoon’s experience goes beyond political office, especially towards students at Exeter. “EPAC is still a great experience, a way to keep an eye on students, which is extremely important. All of you are still very young. You still need encouragement in a social setting, to have an adult there. And I believe I provide that good balance of say, get your feet off the table and clean up after yourselves,” J. Weatherspoon commented, when asked about her duties in EPAC. 

“She makes sure I clean up after myself and really keeps me responsible in EPAC,” said lower David Liu. 

“It’s nice working for EPAC and that team of people, behind the scenes, who really keep the school running smoothly and safely,” J. Weatherspoon reflected.

But outside of EPAC she remains a positive force in the community. “I want to communicate with high school kids that this is a time for you to grow and love yourself. And that’s what I try to do every day when I’m in EPAC,” she said, describing her philosophy.

Lower Meghan Tate Zee added, “I don’t know Mrs. Weatherspoon very well; however, whenever I see her, she always says hello and has a very kind and comforting aura.” 

J Weatherspoon’s wisdom and care for the students is unmistakable. “I always tell seniors,” she said, “‘Do your college essay before you get here in the fall for your senior year so you can enjoy it. Make sure you have a bucket list, so you can do all the things that you want to do.’” 

Aside from this, her care and desire to be deeply involved in the Exeter community is seen when she “cooked for all of Mr. Weatherspoon’s advisees for I would say 35 years. The last three, I didn’t, because we were in a smaller house.”

  Lower Jade Yoo shared her first encounter with J. Weatherspoon after a music lesson. “I met Mrs. Weatherspoon for the first time when I was coming out of a music lesson, and she was really nice,” Yoo recalled. “We talked for a little bit, and I found her to always be welcoming and sweet. I bumped into her a few times, and she always said hi to me.”

Yoo described another memorable interaction with J. Weatherspoon in EPAC. “I was hanging out with some friends, and then she came up to me. She was talking to her niece and introduced us. It was really fun! Her niece was super cute, and it was an overall pleasant experience. I think it’s so nice how she always brightens up the room. She always has a smile on her face and is just happy and cheerful.” Yoo’s experience is just one of many that highlight J. Weatherspoon’s impact on the Exeter community.

“I’m very thankful for a dream, a wish, and a vision we had to support young people—we actually did it,” J. Weatherspoon reflected. 

She’s done exactly this for the past 37 years. Students at the Academy are lucky to have such an understated but incredible woman at EPAC with a warm smile, a red lanyard, and a set of keys to brighten their day.