Jonas Jeswald - Head of Middle School

Jonas Jeswald began his tenure as Head of Middle School at Germantown Academy in January of 2015. No stranger to GA at that time, Jeswald brought experience in numerous leadership positions, including serving as the Dean of Students/Assistant Head of Middle School and Interim Head of Middle School in Fort Washington. 

He continually sets a high bar for excellence in Middle School education.

Since joining GA, Jeswald and the Middle School faculty have prided themselves in implementing a meaningful and thoughtful student-led conference portfolio and conference process, redesigning and revamping the Middle School Academic Support Program, study group, and introduction of reading lab, and using student feedback from exit interviews with 8th Graders and 9th Grade focus groups to inform changes as GA strives to make the Middle School the best it can be. Under Jeswald, the Middle School has also expanded the number of clubs and affinity programming, implemented a 6-8th Grades 1:1 tablet PC program and technology curriculum, and implemented the School’s 2015 Athletic Strategic Vision to ensure that Middle School students have the opportunity for a successful MS athletic experience.

Jeswald has also introduced programs like the 8th Grade Elective Program which allow students to participate in a semester or year-long elective centered around topics and/or projects of shared interest with the faculty members teaching them, while Lead Lab is a required 7th Grade course that meets once a rotation throughout the year. The foundation of this course is GA's set of seven fundamental leadership skills: Communicating and listening; Solving problems and thinking critically; Seeing and respecting others' perspectives; Taking initiative; Setting goals; Following through; and Learning from mistakes/overcoming adversity.

Some of Jeswald’s other professional highlights include being a member of the Heads of Schools leadership team, the One School Committee, GA’s Diversity Task Force, and the Leadership Curriculum Committee. He has helped GA welcome national speakers on topics specific to Middle School students, faculty, and families, including social media, drug and alcohol prevention, and character and motivation, and he served as a Faculty Scholar for the Gardner Carney Leadership Institute in the summer of 2019

Prior to his time at Germantown Academy, Jeswald spent several years as a member of the Spanish faculty at Dedham Country Day School, where also served as the Director of Community Outreach. Jeswald arrived at Germantown Academy in 2013 and served as the Middle School Dean of Students and Assistant Head of Middle School for a year before being named Interim Head of Middle School in July of 2014.

Jeswald earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology and Spanish from Skidmore College and his Master’s degree in education from Northeastern University. He was a collegiate lacrosse captain and graduated as the all-time leading scorer in Skidmore history.