Fifth-grade teacher named Reinertsen Teacher of the Year
April 1, 2016
One of the first group activities that students in Gary Jensrud’s fifth-grade class at S.G. Reinertsen Elementary did this school year was to make a short list of synonyms for the word “class.” They selected “family,” “team,” “group,” “squad,” “crew” and “company.”
“My favorite from this list is the word ‘family,’” said Jensrud, named the 2016 Reinertsen Teacher of the Year. “I try each day to instill in students that they are a special part of our family in this classroom.”
Jensrud credits his childhood and the closeness of his family with helping create the family feel in his classroom. “I have always been surrounded by family and have always felt the importance of it — to feel a belonging to something larger than yourself,” he said.
“What I admire most about Mr. Jensrud is the balance he has in his classroom,” said Carla Smith, principal at Reinertsen Elementary. “Students feel welcome, they have fun, and they work really hard. The sense of community he creates keeps students engaged and motivated to be their best.”
Jensrud has spent the past nine years teaching fifth grade at S.G. Reinersen Elementary. He also teaches with the Excel after-school program and leads the school safety patrol, and he helped implement the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports approach as part of the original PBIS committee at Reinertsen. Prior to coming to Moorhead, Jensrud taught sixth grade for three years in Prior Lake, Minn., fifth grade for four years in Dilworth, Minn., and fifth grade for two years in Glenwood, Minn. He earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Bemidji State University and his master’s in curriculum and instruction from St. Thomas University.
Jensrud’s parents influenced his decision to work with children. He grew up with his mom running an in-home daycare and his dad helping whenever he could, so he saw his parents working with children and their parents over the years.
“Watching them over the years certainly impacted my path to becoming a teacher,” he said.
In the classroom, Jensrud has been influenced by numerous master teachers. He strives to remember the philosophies of Responsive Classroom and the Nurtured Heart approach.
“I want students to come in my room feeling safe emotionally and to know the expectations I have for them and the expectations they have for me,” Jensrud said. “When this connection can be made in a genuine way, great things can happen in more than a child’s academics, amazing things can happen in their belief in self. As they begin to believe in the small successes, they become more actively engaged during the day and will usually take more risks in their learning because of trust that has been built.”
Jensrud believes that in the teaching profession, collaboration and support of fellow teachers is important.
“Ideas that are shared through the creativity of other teachers is what makes each of us great,” he said. “During my time at Reinertsen, I am proud of my fellow teachers and their hard work each day to do the best for each student they work with. We all work hard to share ideas and help each other.”
According to Smith, Jensrud is also a building leader.
“He is thoughtful and considers all points of view when making decisions,” she said. “He embodies the true spirit of putting students first.“
“It is an honor to be named Reinertsen’s Teacher of the Year,” Jensrud said. “I am humbled with this title as I know each teacher is deserving of praise as they give so much of themselves to help students.”
Photo caption:
Gary Jensrud, fifth-grade teacher at S.G. Reinertsen Elementary and Reinertsen Teacher of the Year, assists a student with his writing project.
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