Our Founder

A woman, the founder of The Resonance Lab, Jessica Steele, sitting in a chair outdoors in a wooded area, holding a mug and smiling. A dog is on her lap, facing to the side with its mouth open.

Jessica Steele

Professional Bio

Jess Steele is the founder of The Resonance Lab, an innovative microschool designed to foster radical autonomy, authentic leadership, and purpose-driven learning. With 18 years of experience as an educator and leader, including more than a decade in leadership. Jess brings a unique blend of instructional expertise, leadership development, and energetic alignment practices to the world of education.

She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Secondary Education (Spanish) from Indiana University Bloomington and a master’s degree in Instructional Design from Western Governors University. A published author and leadership coach, Jess has guided countless educators and students in developing resilience, purpose, and authentic leadership. She is also the founder of the Dear Jess app - a safe space for holistic wellness and leadership strategy. 

At The Resonance Lab, Jess integrates her background in education with her passion for human-centered, energy-aware leadership to create a learning environment where students are empowered to co-create their own educational journeys. Her vision is to build a school that honors the whole child, cultivates resilience, and equips graduates to pursue their purpose unapologetically.

Hi, I’m Jessica

I founded The Resonance Lab out of both conviction and calling. After nearly two decades in education, serving as a teacher, principal, instructional coach, and consultant, I saw the same pattern repeat: students who were over-scheduled, under-inspired, and losing sight of their own agency.

As an educator, I watched too many brilliant, sensitive, and creative kids get squeezed into rigid systems that dulled their spark instead of fueling it. As a leader, I knew that true transformation comes when we honor both who a student is and who they are becoming.

My journey has also been personal. Through my own work with leadership, energy alignment, and resilience, I realized that what sustains people in life is not just knowledge. It is self-awareness, belonging, and purpose. I wanted to create a school that did not just teach content, but cultivated leaders who are authentic, resilient, and unapologetically aligned with their purpose.

The Resonance Lab is the school I wish existed for so many students I have led, coached, and loved. It is a place where young people can be deeply known, trusted to take ownership, and empowered to lead lives that feel meaningful now and in the future.