“Every day is a new opportunity to reach that goal you’ve been working towards.” – J. Cole
Greetings! I’m Nicholas Gerstung, though your students might know me better as Mr. G. Since joining Buncombe County Schools in 2016, I’ve dedicated my career to nurturing and guiding students. I earned my Bachelor’s in Communication from Montreat College in 2016 and my Master’s in Special Education and Teaching from Western Carolina University in 2023. My journey began as a Teaching Assistant in the II/SS/Resource Classroom, and as of January 2023, I’ve been serving as the Resource Teacher at Sand Hill-Venable Elementary.
I believe that learning should be both educational and enjoyable, making the school experience fulfilling and fun.
I strive to create a classroom environment where students feel both challenged and supported. My approach is centered on fostering a love for learning through engaging, interactive lessons and personalized instruction. I am also committed to inclusion, often pushing into students' general education classrooms to provide targeted support and ensure they have the resources they need to succeed alongside their peers. By incorporating technology, games, and hands-on activities, I aim to make learning dynamic and accessible for all students. My goal is to not only help students achieve their academic potential but also to build their confidence and enthusiasm for learning.
A bit about me—I’m a proud Mohawk Indian and originally hail from Boston (GO BOSTON!). My passions include sports, data, and spending time with my amazing family: a son who’s incredibly cool, a daughter who’s my little princess, a supportive wife, and our two beloved pets, Eevee the cat and Birdie the dog. In my spare time, I’m a regional ax-throwing champion, love camping, and enjoy discovering new things and making memories with my family.
In my classes, I emphasize academic achievement and social/emotional growth with high expectations and a focus on fun. Teaching is a true joy, and I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to work and learn with your children.
I am also the Minecraft Club Advisor. Our Minecraft Club is different from your typical block-building club. In our club, we are presented with challenges to build around. However, we must do more than go straight into it. Much like real architecture, we must create drafts for our projects, collaborate on our ideas, and then bring those to life in Minecraft. Our students have gone above and beyond with coding in-game, drafting, collaboration, creativity, and, most importantly, having fun and building relationships.
"A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning." –Brad Henry