Written by Thomas Christie, GRS Board Chair
We are thrilled to introduce Great River School’s new Executive Director! The GRS board offered Jeremy Perrin the position and he has accepted. The Board and Leadership Team are very excited for Jeremy to join our community this summer.
Jeremy currently leads Discovery School in Honduras. Previously, he served for many years as Executive Director of the International Spanish Language Academy (ISLA), a Spanish immersion International Baccalaureate school in Edina. He brings deep experience in international education, school governance, and the IB program, along with a strong track record of leading mission-driven schools to fulfill their vision for students and the wider world.
After carefully considering input from the Recommendation Committee and the Leadership Team, the Board voted to offer Jeremy the position.
What is happening now:
As we begin our yearly planning cycle to prepare for the upcoming year, the Board and Leadership Team are inviting Jeremy to participate where appropriate. David Núñez is working diligently with the Leadership Team to create a transition and onboarding plan for Jeremy. I’d like to extend my deep gratitude to David for his service to Great River and for his ongoing grace and support during this transition process.
What happens next:
Jeremy’s official first day will be July 1, 2025.
We intend to hold a “Meet the Executive Director” event, before the end of the school year, where our community members will have a chance to meet Jeremy, hear his introduction, and to introduce our community to Jeremy. Details will be sent to all families once scheduled.
Below, please see the introductory letter and bio from Jeremy Perrin to us all at GRS. We hope you’ll join us in warmly welcoming him to our community this summer. Thank you!
“Dear Great River School Community,
I am honored to have been selected as the next Executive Director at GRS and thrilled to join a community dedicated to the mission of fostering critical thinking, empathy, international mindedness, and peacemaking. With 29 years of comprehensive experience in education—including 18 years in leadership, 12 years in MN charter schools, and 16 years working within the International Baccalaureate (IBO) context—I look forward to drawing on these experiences to support GRS in reaching its next level of excellence.
On a personal level, my wife Clara and I celebrated 22 years of marriage last fall, and we have two children: Diego, who is completing his studies at Northwestern University in Chicago, and Emma, who is currently in 7th grade. We are a bilingual, bicultural family who treasure our time traveling together, often playing marathon sessions of competitive board games. We also enjoy immersing ourselves in Minnesota’s natural beauty, and spending our summers canoeing, gardening, and biking, and embracing winter through cross-country skiing and enjoying outdoor festivals.
The focus in my career has been clear: to prepare well-rounded students with the academic, social, and emotional skills, and the confidence, and grit they need to drive positive change, pursue justice, and thrive in a global environment. Grounded in the International Baccalaureate principles, my work, over the past three decades, has centered on fostering empathy, inquiry, academic excellence, and critical thinking. I believe all children have the power to learn and make a difference when given the right tools, agency, and a nurturing environment that values independence and mutual respect.
I am excited to immerse myself in Montessori methodology, which aligns so closely with the International Baccalaureate framework. I love to see students engage in hands-on learning, self-directed activities, and collaborative play. As you know, this approach fosters independence, critical thinking, and a love for learning. Core Montessori principles—like the “prepared environment,” “freedom within limits,” and “respect for the child” are right out of the IBO playbook and resonate strongly with my educational philosophy and experience As a lifelong learner, I am committed to continually evolving my practice to help students develop problem-solving skills and a passion for lifelong learning, empowering them to be peacemakers and thrive in an ever-changing world.
Together, we will continue to build on the strengths of this incredible school, nurturing an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and enriches the cultural fabric of our community. I look forward to collaborating with students, families, faculty, and staff to maintain GRS as a dynamic and transformative educational experience for all.
I am excited to embark on this journey with you.”