Julie GronewoldStaff

After being an elementary educator for 17 years, in 2020 I decided to make a shift to higher education! My classroom experiences included teaching first, second and third grades, as well various leadership roles within my building (Eagle Lake Elementary) and district (Mankato Area Public Schools). I am thrilled to share my knowledge and passion for education with the next generation of teachers at Gustavus!  If you are thinking about a career in education, please come visit with me!

My time outside the office is spent on bleachers cheering for the Gusties and St. Peter Saints or on my bike!  My daughter, Grace, is a first year right here at Gustavus majoring in Nursing, as well as having the priveledge to play for the Gustavus Women's Soccer team and run sprints for the Gustavus Women's Track team! My son, Alex, is a 10th grade soccer and tennis player! I LOVE watching my kids compete and seeing their hard work and dedication to their sports come to fruition. I also have a bit of a competitive side! About 12 years ago I participated in my first triathlon and over the years have completed over 40 races from Sprint to Half Ironman distances. While I still swim regularly, I dropped running for a fierce focus on cycling. In August 2021 three buddies and I rode our bikes down the Pacific Coast, from Eugene, Oregon to San Francisco, California! We covered 650 miles in 6 days and it was truly one of the most amazing (and hardest) experiences in my life! In November 2019 I competed at the 12 & 24 Hour World Time Trial Championships in California where I was able to put down 181 miles in 12 hours. Riding my bike allows me to think without distractions and enjoy the beautiful world around me! I also enjoy fat biking, camping, hiking, water skiing, and downhill skiing (the last few years I've been on the Adult Race League at Mt. Kato). Being an educator is an intense job and I’m a firm believer in finding passions outside of school to stay balanced and healthy!