New Greenbelt Elementary School Principal Joel Nelson is pleased to return to working in Greenbelt. “Prior to seeking my master’s degree,” he said, “I was a substitute teacher at Greenbelt Elementary when it first opened. A few years later, my eldest daughter took theater classes here.” A graduate of the University of Maryland and Howard University, Nelson taught at Greenbelt Middle from 1999 until 2002.
He identified similarities between Greenbelt and his former location in Kettering, pointing out that “both have proud histories with home ownership passed down through family generations resulting in blocks of active yard work where neighbors know and greet one another.”
Nelson is passionate and excited about his work. He states that he most enjoys “interacting with students and teachers, building relationships, building the capacity of learners and being part of a learning community that emphasizes … integrated arts and foreign language.”
The pandemic has posed great challenges to the school system as it has to everyone, Nelson observed. “The last 24 months or so have truly been transformational for all. Gaps in student learning over the summer have been a traditional challenge for many but now that challenge is heightened,” he said. “Thankfully, the Greyhound [GES mascot] staff and community are endlessly supportive and place students first in decision making.” Greenbelt Elementary currently has a few vacancies in non-lead teacher roles, but fortunately, the teacher roster is full.