Hello!

My name is Jon Gjerde. Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year. This is my 32nd year working with St. Paul students and families. I live in St. Louis Park with my wife Kate and my dog Otto, who loves distance learning so he can be around me all day. We enjoy camping in our vintage camper, kayaking and paddle boarding, and sharing our home with neighbors and friends. I enjoy building and remodeling and creating things with my hands and heart. Participating in athletic activities gives me joy and energy and I continue to do as many as my body will allow. I am curious about the world and have developed talents as a lifelong learner. I hope to spark this same curiosity in the students I serve.

It has been a challenging summer in many ways.  And the challenge continues as we start the year with distance learning. I understand the hardship that distance leaning poses for many families and it challenges my teaching practice as well. My hope is that we can work together and support eachother as we do what's best for kids.