Meet Gerrit.
Over a 17 year career, Gerrit has led classrooms, schools, districts and regions to dramatic results.
Featured instructor on Oprah Winfrey and teacher leadership videos such as Leading Educators
Led individual classrooms and networks to top scores in cities and states
Mentored more than five teachers who went on to become teacher of the year in their districts
Former Literacy Specialist & Senior Project Developer, Reading and Writing Project of Columbia University
Reading & writing teacher and curriculum creator, KIPP New Orleans
Reformed tier 1, 2, and 3 supports leading to groundbreaking change for students of all abilities
Authored and co-authored effective units of study including:
"Turning Every Kid into a Reader: Really"
"Changing the World With Words"
"All About Books"
Having worked in classrooms across the world, Gerrit offers a global perspective unique in the field.
Saudi Arabia: Led a four year project instructing teachers on Narrative Writing, teacher leadership and curriculum design resulting in a dramatic and lasting shift in the way writing is taught
Lebanon: Guided teachers, coaches and curriculum authors on using read alouds to support academic improvement and social-emotional learning for thousands of displaced refugees
Nigeria: Designed and led reform of the way independent reading and novel study can be used together to enhance student achievement
Poland: Trained professors of education on best practices to support in-classroom practice for new teachers - a large shift away from the common practice of university lecture
Thailand: Led a team of teachers to become educational leads, supporting thousands of teachers across seven provinces
United States: Led literacy work in New Orleans and New York as a groundbreaking teacher, coach and Director of Literacy
What our partners have to say
“Gerrit is one of the strongest reading practitioners and coaches I know. As a network coach, he was instrumental in setting up strong reading programming at the school that I run. He provided quality planning and coaching, always with a high bar for teachers. As a teacher, I watched him build the strongest book club structure I have ever seen.”
“I had no idea my students were capable of that.”
“I’ve been feeling so jaded. [GJR’s coaching] has me actually excited to teach again.”
“There’s still hope in the world if Mr. Jones-Rooy is still teaching!”
“Gerrit assesses the needs of the whole school and the unique skills of each teacher. He doesn’t give you rote methodology — you get someone who tailors things to you, your kids and your school. We are miles ahead of where we were.”