We’re showing our CPSD pride by giving a #SuperSchoolShoutout to Evergreen Elementary School’s new principal Jessie Nordquist, functional academics (FA) teacher Lisa Boswell and fourth grader Brandon Moreno.

Former assistant principal, Jessie Nordquist, became the new principal this school year. Principal Nordquist is passionate about education and has wanted to be a teacher since she was in kindergarten. “I love learning and helping students learn new skills,” she said. “I am honored to be the principal of Evergreen because I get to work with a highly dedicated and caring staff to create an environment of learning for all of our students.”

Because of her time spent with students and families as the assistant principal, Principal Nordquist knows her community well and understands that family support has a massive impact on student success. “It has been such a joy to see the work that has been put into supporting our Timberwolves this year and I have really appreciated the family partnership in helping us along the way,” she said. “Getting the chance to partner with students, families and our staff to create an environment where we can all be learners and experience success is what I love best about my job.”

Principal Nordquist and her team are committed to student success and celebrate that their staff, families and community will continue to progress as Timberwolves and see moments of student growth each day. “I look forward to continuing to celebrate students, partnering with families and our community, and being able to work alongside a remarkable staff to reach the goals we have set for our school,” she said.

Lisa joined Evergreen four years ago and has previously worked for the military. “I feel like I understand our students and families because I understand how it feels to constantly shift and change as you move and kind of start life over again,” she said. “I always keep that perspective in mind with my students and their families.”

Lisa feels supported in her work at Evergreen where there are multiple different special education (SPED) programs to accommodate students. “Between life skills, FA and resource programs, we try our best to include everyone and place kids exactly where they belong,” she said. “Our teams stay flexible with students to adapt to how they learn and flow with them instead of forcing them into a specific learning style.”

FA teachers work with students to fill gaps in their education and make sure they have the foundational skills they need to succeed in class. “We teach students who may be intimidated by a subject or a skill that they can feel safe to try, sometimes fail and learn how to succeed,” she said. “We do a great deal of small group work and its rewarding seeing them supporting one another and building their confidence.”

Lisa wanted to become a SPED teacher after supporting child through his school experience. “Like other parents, I had to figure out what an IEP, FBA and BIP were and how they all worked together,” she said. “I went back to school to better support my son, and as I learned more, I realized that being an advocate for families is what I’m meant to do.”

Fourth grade is flying by for Brandon who enjoys coming to school every day with his fellow Timberwolves. “I love seeing my friends, going to PE class, playing soccer and learning all the different subjects,” he said. 

Brandon is very confident and knows he can succeed in every subject. Even math, which has become less of a challenge for him each year. “The math is a little bit easier in fourth grade than third grade somehow,” he said. “We’re learning multiplication and division and I’m getting pretty good at it.”

Brandon is a curious and creative student, which may be why creative writing is his favorite subject to learn in class. “I like writing fiction,” he said. “I like making up what I get to write about and being creative, so I have a lot of ideas for stories I want to write in the future.”

Brandon is known by Evergreen staff as a respectful, kind and helpful student who tries hard in class and supports his peers. He is proud to know these qualities are noticed at Evergreen and credits his Mexican heritage, family and culture for instilling those attributes in him. “I love our culture with the food, the history, the music and everything else,” he said. “Being Mexican and knowing my family’s heritage is what I am most proud of, and it makes me who I am.”

Brandon is excited for fifth grade because there will be new learning opportunities, his class will be the oldest in the school and he hopes to be a little taller. When he grows up, his goal is to play professional soccer, ideally for Mexico or Portugal, as a goalie. His second plan is to continue exploring his creative writing skills as a professional journalist. 

Go Timberwolves!