From teaching & coaching to Mid-Praire admin

By Molly Roberts
Posted 8/3/21

Greg Jergens is one of three new principals joining the Mid-Prairie administration staff this school year, which he said is exciting more than anything.

“Every time you form a new team, …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

From teaching & coaching to Mid-Praire admin

Posted

Greg Jergens is one of three new principals joining the Mid-Prairie administration staff this school year, which he said is exciting more than anything.

“Every time you form a new team, there’s an excitement that goes along with it, to see what we can do and where we can go,” he said. “We’re all in that stage. We’re excited to work with each other and we’re all excited about the opportunity that’s in front of us and we’re all motivated to do the best we can for our Mid-Prairie schools.”

Jergens comes from Iowa Valley, where he was a fourth grade teacher and head varsity coach in a variety of sports for 21 years. He said the experience of working with both elementary aged students and high school students has made him a stronger educator.

“Teaching both ages is actually very similar. We’re giving our students the fundamentals, the how-to of how to find information, how to learn information. If you want to have successful sports teams, you focus on how to do the skills,” Jergens said. “While the ages are different, I always looked at it as a similarity — I’m trying to give my students and my athletes the fundamental things they need to be successful.”

“It allowed me to make a difference in two positive ways. The longer I got into my career, then I started to coach students that I had had in elementary school. Towards the end of my career, I was teaching students who I had taught their parents. When you’re in a community for as long a time as I was, those were little rewards. I look forward to being here for that long as well, so I can start to see those little relationships take place.

Jergens believes in laying a strong foundation, which, in the Mid-Prairie district, starts at East Elementary.

“I believe very strongly that if we do a good job here, we’re laying a strong foundation for our students to continue on their journeys of success. I take that extremely seriously and I know that staff does here as well. My goal is to be part of that winning team.”

Jergens said he was drawn to the position at Mid-Prairie due to the district’s high reputation. He learned about the district through coaching at Iowa Valley and was always impressed with the students, coaches and their success.

He hopes to continue to contribute to the district’s high standing as an excellent place to educate the community’s children.

While he doesn’t foresee any major or significant changes right off the bat, Jergens said he’s always looking for small ways to improve East Elementary.

“Any positive leader is going to come in and see what we’re doing already. It’s going to take a little time to see where those things are,” he said. “You always have to look to improve. Where are the little areas that I can add a perspective to tweak just a little bit here, whether it’s something simple in the schedule, whether it’s curricular, there are a variety of things you can look into. Right now, the numbers say that our students are learning, our students are doing well. We have a positive reputation, and our community is behind us and appreciates the work that’s being done.”

While Jergens has been communicating with teachers and staff throughout the summer, he said he can’t wait for Aug. 23 when the building will finally be full of teachers and students.

“I can’t really get to develop the relationships that are so important until I’m around our students and our staff more,” he said. “I’m just really excited to have face-to-face communication, see our excited little ones come into the building and help them on their path to being successful in life.”