For more than a decade, Jessica Peruso has faithfully served the students and families of Warren G. Harding Middle School as a dedicated Autistic Support Teacher. With over 10 years of unwavering commitment, a master’s degree in special education, and an Autism Endorsement from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Ms. Peruso embodies the compassion, expertise, and persistence that every child in Philadelphia deserves.
Each day, she works tirelessly to ensure that students on the autism spectrum, and all students who enter her classroom are supported, understood, and empowered to thrive. Her classroom is thoughtfully designed to meet the diverse needs of her learners, filled with visuals, social stories, calming spaces, timers, fidgets, and individualized, evidence-based supports. Every detail reflects her deep belief that students succeed when their environments are intentionally built around them.
Beyond the classroom, Ms. Peruso cultivates meaningful partnerships with families, ensuring they have access to the resources and guidance needed for long-term success. She is equally impactful in her collaboration with colleagues, modeling clarity, encouragement, and high expectations. Through intentional coaching, she helps adults collect meaningful data, implement individualized plans, adjust supports, and gradually fade prompts – always with students’ independence and future in mind.
Ms. Peruso also creates powerful interdisciplinary opportunities that unite the Harding community. She leads the school’s Special Olympics Unified Sports program, supporting both Bocce and Flag Football and fostering authentic teamwork between autistic support students and their general education peers. From organizing practices and scrimmages to modeling sportsmanship and teaching game rules, she ensures every student experiences belonging, joy, and achievement.
Her commitment to whole-child development extends to health and wellness through her partnership with Drexel University’s Eat Right Philly program. By coordinating monthly tastings, school store supports, and hands-on cooking lessons with nutritionists, she helps students build lifelong healthy habits in engaging and meaningful ways.
A collaborative, hardworking, and deeply team-focused leader, Ms. Peruso’s impact reaches every corner of Harding. She organizes staff shout-outs, leads the Student of the Month program, supports PBIS initiatives, coordinates school stores and rewards, plans quarterly SOAR celebrations and assemblies, fundraises for enrichment opportunities, and designs interactive field trips for the Autistic Support Program. Through each effort, she ensures students feel seen, celebrated, and inspired.
Jessica Peruso’s work is more than teaching – it is advocacy, community building, and love in action. Her dedication reflects the very best of the School District of Philadelphia and the limitless potential that emerges when educators lead with heart, purpose, and excellence.
The School District of Philadelphia proudly celebrates her extraordinary impact and extends heartfelt congratulations to Jessica Peruso for being named January 2026 Teacher of the Month!