Ms. Lissa Santiago was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She moved to Jersey City at seventeen years old to attend college. She graduated from Jersey City State College with a double major in 1993; she immediately started her teaching career. Ms. Santiago continued her education at Seton Hall University. She completed her first Master of Arts in Bilingual/Bicultural/ESL Urban Studies in 1997. While teaching the students in elementary grades, Ms. Santiago attended New Jersey City University, where she completed her second Master of Arts in Administration, Curriculum, and Instruction. In 2006, Ms. Santiago became one of the assistant principals who opened Middle School #7 in the Heights. In 2010, she was assigned to Middle School #4 in the downtown area, where she has been one of the assistant principals for the past thirteen years. Ms. Santiago has been a proud Jersey City Public Schools educator for thirty years. In addition, she is a proud mother of three teenagers who attended the Jersey City Public Schools.
Children and education are a passion for Ms. Santiago and her entire family, as she has a lineage of educators and professors in Jersey City, Bethlehem, Philadelphia, New York City, and Puerto Rico. She has given teachers, parents, and the community her one hundred percent dedication during and after school hours. As a long-time Jersey City resident, she is known to volunteer in many community outreach programs, cultural events, and holiday food drives. Ms. Santiago has volunteered in a drug and alcohol program for thirty years; she is a staunch advocate for the underprivileged members of our community, whether senior citizens, children, or her love of animals—especially dogs! She has worked and continues to work diligently on many initiatives in the Jersey City community.