Girls' Dorm

The Founder of Principia, Mrs. Morgan wrote: True education is learning to look away from self, thus constantly broadening one’s mental horizon. (Education at the Principia, page 6)

This is what living in the Middle School Dorm is all about! As we live together we are naturally forced to widen our thought and action to include others, thus reaping the blessings of forgetting self. This sacrifice of the false sense of self occurs daily (sometimes gently… other times with some noticeable struggle taking place) and pushes thought upward toward the divine. When one learns to patiently knock before entering a room, offers to stop and help another, turns a conversation away from gossip, quietly complies with the dress code, takes the extra steps to recycle a can or voluntarily turns down their music, our students are discovering that the forgetting of self results in true happiness. Life in the dorm should help move thought towards freedom found in selflessness and obedience within the atmosphere of home, camaraderie and fun.

Joy Jamerson - Middle School Girls' Dorm House Parent

Joy Jamerson has been the Middle School Girls’ Dorm House Parent since September 2004. Joy, a native Texan, graduated from Principia College with a major in philosophy/religion and through an internship secured a position in finance in corporate America. She began her career working at the headquarter companies of American Home Video Corporation and next at RE/MAX International, Inc. in Denver, Colorado. Later, she worked for several years in treasury and special projects at the headquarters of ClubCorp Inc. in Dallas, Texas.
While her daughter, Chloe, attended St. Alcuin Montessori School in Dallas, Joy held several volunteer positions that ranged from chairing the annual book fair to a yearlong commitment as auction chairman where she and over 80 volunteers successfully raised net proceeds for the school of over $230,000. Later, she agreed to design and create the sets for the first time ever Middle School musical and that was when she began to discover her love of working with young teens.

Joy has also taught Sunday School for several years at Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist in Dallas and ended with teaching a class of mostly middle school girls. “Working with middle school girls, especially in a home environment, is a heart felt passion for me. It has expanded my sense of family and parenthood. Watching these girls blossom and grow spiritually is truly a privilege and a blessing.”

Joy’s husband, Jim, a Principia Middle/Upper School/College graduate, commutes between his work in Dallas as Senior Vice President at United Commercial Realty, Inc. and the Principia campus. Their daughter, Chloe, currently attends the Principia Upper School. They have one family pet, Skylar, a shih tzu dog.

In addition to her dorm responsibilities, she works closely with the Middle School Staff with regards to activities and character education.