Alumni Stories
Jesse Schmitt, ’06
Jesse’s Story:
As a child, Jesse Schmitt struggled deeply with reading comprehension and writing.
“Things were just not clicking for me,” recalls Jesse. “I could read the same page over and over and never understand what I just read.”
He also remembers dreading writing assignments he couldn’t organize. School became a daily frustration – he’d even “forget” his textbooks on purpose just to avoid homework.
By seventh grade, Jesse’s parents knew something had to change. After seeing how another specialized school helped his brother, they found The de Paul School and decided it was the right fit, even though Jesse was reluctant to start over somewhere new.
At de Paul, everything changed: “For the first time, I felt like I could actually learn and comprehend what I was being taught,” says Jesse. “Before that, I always felt like I was getting left further and further behind.”
Once at de Paul, he began to build confidence and understand his own learning process. That confidence carried him through high school, college, and beyond, shaping his mindset and work ethic. Jesse went on to play football at Purdue University, sign with NFL teams including the Packers and Saints, and later found his calling in coaching.
Today, Jesse serves as the Senior Special Teams Analyst at Notre Dame. He and his wife, Carly, are raising two young sons.
“de Paul was the stepping stone I needed to propel me in the right direction,” says Jesse. “I really don’t know where I would be without de Paul.”
He says de Paul didn’t just help him learn – it helped him believe in himself. “It’s not just a two- or five-year decision,” Jessie says. “It’s a 40- or 50-year decision that can change the direction of your life.”
