I am honored to have the opportunity to serve our community in the role of Principal at Meridian Elementary!  

To tell you a little about myself; I am originally from West Fargo, ND but have lived and worked in education in Colorado since 2002.  I am a graduate of North Dakota State University (Go Bison!) with a degree in Secondary Education and Social Science.  From 2000-2002, I was a high school soccer coach and substitute teacher in the Fargo area.  Upon moving to Colorado in 2002, I first started as a high school teacher at a small charter school in Longmont, CO.  After spending 3 years there, I moved into Middle School and helped open a new school in the Cherry Creek School District.  In 2007, I came to Adams 12 as a 6th grade Social Studies teacher and was among the inaugural staff of Silver Hills Middle School.  In 2010, I graduated with a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Denver after completing the Ritchie Program for School Leaders.  In my first leadership role, I spent 1 year as the Dean of Students at Silver Hills before going to The International School at Thornton Middle in the fall of 2011.  After spending 8 years at the International School and 14 in total at middle school, I was ready to take on the challenge of moving to elementary.  I have been at Meridian Elementary since 2019 first as an assistant principal and now as principal.  My wife and I make our home in Erie where we are raising children who are of elementary age.  My wife is also employed by Adams 12 as the Assistant Principal at Cotton Creek Elementary.

My philosophy is simple.  I am here to ensure the highest standard of instruction at Meridian Elementary that works to engage our students in applicable 21st century problem solving and life skills.  I feel that it is my job to make sure every student is learning and being challenged to meet their individual needs.  It is important that every student feels connected to their school and that staff that cares for them and that we have a supportive community working to form partnerships with families.  Upon leaving our school, students should have the skills and habits necessary to be successful in secondary school and life beyond the school doors.  I believe in honesty and integrity in all situations in order to build and maintain positive relationships with teachers, parents, & students as well as bringing stakeholders together in the best interest of the whole child.

Jason Gooding