Jennifer Nelson is Great River School's new Front Desk Coordinator! Though she is new to this role, Jennifer is far from new to GRS. With a smile on her face, you will often see Jennifer providing concierge help to new and current families entering the front doors of GRS, aiding in the entrance of students, staff and visitors to the exterior and interior doors, and dispensing late passes with lightning speed in the morning! Take a look around the front desk and notice some of her beautiful decor and awesome organization skills. And if you’ve got a problem, yo, she’ll solve it because she also has amazing problem solving skills. Let’s get to know Jennifer!
Biography provided by Jennifer Nelson, Front Desk Coordinator
Greetings Great River Community!
I am delighted to introduce myself to you in my new role as the Front Desk Coordinator, which is affectionately known here as the Director of First Impressions. I know what many of you are thinking..."Wait! Where is Holly?!?" Fear not. Holly is still working at Great River as our Business Manager and will continue to share her many gifts and bright energy with our community. I admit that taking on this position after my beloved predecessor feels a little like being asked to sing a song after Beyonce-but I am up for the challenge! My goal is to ensure that everyone who walks through the doors of Great River School feels both welcome and valued.
If I look familiar to you, you may know me as the elementary classroom assistant from Rice Creek, where I enjoyed working with an amazing array of children and families for nine years. In addition to my educational experience at Great River, I have worked in a variety of classroom settings for over twenty five years, including subbing for the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Public Schools and working as a first and fourth grade classroom teacher in Edina. I am a graduate of the University of Minnesota and hold both a B.S. and Masters Degree in Elementary Education. I feel so grateful to work in a vibrant school community where students are valued as unique individuals and where we can build relationships with learners and their families over the span of twelve years.
I am a native of St. Paul where I live with my family. In my spare time I enjoy reading in my hammock, cooking with my son, thrifting with my daughter and traveling with my family and friends. Some of my favorite places are the mountains of Colorado, the boreal forests of Northern Minnesota and the rocky shores of Lake Superior. I love to grow perennials but cannot grow a vegetable to save my soul.
Thank you to all of the students and caregivers who have stopped by at the front desk to introduce themselves and have been generous with their patience and grace as I make this transition. If I have not yet had the chance to meet you, please stop by to say hello!
Let's all honor Holly's tradition of creating a warm and welcoming community by making efforts to stay connected and reaching out to those who are new here-and if you are missing Holly-I understand! Please visit the front desk where there are notecards and a mailbox for you to leave her a note of gratitude for all that she has and continues to do for our community.
Best wishes for an amazing school year full of learning, connection and joy!
