Jonathan and Michelle are the proud parents of three active children. Sarah is 14 years old and in 9th grade, Charlie is 12 and in 6th grade and Emily is 9 and in 4th grade. They all attend the CA Frost schools. They have been in the Grand Rapids Public Schools since their oldest was in Kindergarten. They started at Harrison Park Elementary and loved the staff there. As their son grew older, they realized he would do better at a school where he had the opportunity to be outside more often. Therefore, when Sarah was in 2nd grade, they moved the children to CA Frost. It has been a great fit for their family and they love that the children learn so much about how to take care of the world. The staff at both buildings have been wonderful to work with over the years.
Michelle has leadership roles in the PTA in both the Elementary and Middle High buildings. She supports the teachers and staff through her involvement in the PTA, which works with teachers, staff and community to create a positive environment for the students. This year they are especially excited to graduate their first class.
The Jespersen family believes in the value of education and its importance to their children’s future success, not only in academics, but also in life skills. Skills learned now translate into life skills they will need their whole lives. They want their children to know how to apply what they learned in project work including how to work together with various people, how to work in groups, and how to handle conflict and accept feedback. Their hope for the children is that they become adults who lean on the Lord in good times and bad, that they will continue their education whether in college or in a trade school and be surrounded by positive, uplifting people who will walk through life with them.
Jonathan and Michelle are proud of their children as they see them take on challenging tasks and gain confidence in themselves and their abilities. As a family, they enjoy being together, going on family events and serving others when the opportunity arises. Jonathan and Michelle are a growing group of power parents in Grand Rapids Public Schools.