About Mr. J

Dear Students and Families of Grissom Elementary,

My name is Daniel Jankovich, and I am thrilled to be your new teacher this year! I want to take a moment to introduce myself and share a little about my background and what you can expect from our time together.

I have been teaching for 15 years, and throughout my career, I have had the pleasure of working in a variety of roles. I began my journey as a high school biology teacher on the East Side and Little Village before taking on the role of vice principal at William Finkl Elementary, Orville Bright, and Jones College Prep. Most recently, I taught middle school science at Taylor Elementary, located right here on Chicago's Southside.

I earned my bachelors degrees in biology, history, and secondary education from Loyola University, and also hold a masters degree in educational leadership from Concordia University. I am honored to have received the Network 13 Hall of Fame Teaching Award for my work in middle school science, which was thanks to the shared efforts of the parents, students and staff of Taylor Elementary.

As a first-generation American, born to Serbian immigrants, I understand the importance of hard work, perseverance, and the value of education. I've lived in the East Side for 15 years now, and spent a great deal of my childhood in the Hegewisch neighborhood. Because this is my home community, I personally strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all my students, where everyone feels valued and inspired to learn. After all, my students and their families are not only my clients--they're also my neighbors.

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy a variety of hobbies, including board games, writing, reading, cooking, and even helping with the school garden. I am also a huge fan of the Star Trek television series, which first sparked my curiosity in the world of science.

I am genuinely excited about the upcoming school year and am committed to making it a memorable experience for all of you. Together, we will delve into some fun and interesting experiments, take exciting field trips, and explore the wonders of science and beyond!

I look forward to meeting each of you and embarking on this educational adventure together. Let’s make this year a fantastic one!

Warm Regards,

Daniel Jankovich
Grissom Elementary