Meet the Superintendent

Every Student, Every Day: Jerry Nadeau’s Approach to Leading TCS

Tiffin City School Superintendent Jerry Nadeau believes the measure of a school is how it treats its students on their best days and their hardest ones, and that belief shapes how he leads Tiffin City Schools.

“Kids are not bad. Kids sometimes make bad decisions,” he said. “Our job is to be there for them, through the good times and the tough ones, and never give up.”

Nadeau is now in his fourth year with the district and second full year as superintendent. His belief in giving students every chance to succeed is rooted in his own experience. He was an average student growing up and saw school as the place that gave him the opportunity to wrestle. After earning his political science degree, he planned to go to law school, until an internship made him realize it just was not for him.

Around the same time, he began coaching wrestling and tutoring athletes, including several in special education programs. “I realized I liked helping them succeed more than anything else,” he said. “That’s when I went back to school for my special education license.”

For the next 15 years, Nadeau worked as a special education teacher and wrestling coach. The lessons from the mat stayed with him. “I hate losing more than I love winning,” he said. “In schools, that means I’m not motivated by chasing awards or recognition. What drives me is making sure we do not fail our students. Success should be the expectation.”

One of his most important coaching memories came from a season when his team had the talent to reach the top but fell short when it mattered most. “We were not prepared to win,” he said. “From that point forward, we trained with purpose every single day, and the results followed. Being good enough is not enough. You have to put in the work every single day.”

That same mindset applies to TCS. “We have great people, great students, and a supportive community,” he said. “I think Tiffin is a sleeping giant. If we work together, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.”

Nadeau’s days start early. His alarm goes of at 4 a.m., not because he has to be at work, but because that is when he does his CrossFit workout. “That time in the morning is my reset,” he said. “If I am going to be there for other people, I have to start by showing up for myself.”

Outside of work, he enjoys family time and riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He also has several tattoos, something he says might surprise people. “I think people expect a superintendent to look a certain way, but you are not defined by what you wear or how you look. You are defined by your actions and your results,” he said. “That is something I want our students to understand too. You can be yourself, have your own style, and still achieve at the highest level. What matters is the effort you put in and the way you treat people.”

Board of Education member Dr. Meagan McBride said that drive has made a difference. “Mr. Nadeau has brought a steady hand and clear vision to our district. We have seen major improvements in special education, fiscal responsibility, and student-centered decision- making.”

Nadeau is quick to credit TCS staff. “We have some of the most dedicated teachers, support staff, and administrators I have ever worked with,” he said. “The progress we are making is a direct result of their commitment.”

His focus on fiscal responsibility shows in both small details and big-picture planning. In his first year as superintendent, the district saved about $650,000 through attrition. He has also worked with staff to find efficiencies and make smarter use of resources while still prioritizing investments in classrooms. “Our education is our product, it is our reputation,” he said. “It is worth investing in, but we have to be careful stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

He also has deep respect for the community’s investment in its schools. “Even the people who are critical of the district care about Tiffin,” he said. “We may not always agree on how to get there, but caring that deeply about your community is something special.”

Board President Larry Kisabeth said Nadeau’s leadership has brought stability. “He has been a stabilizing force, an excellent communicator, and a positive team builder. He brings vision to our mission of doing what is best for kids and makes himself accessible to both staff and the public.”

Nadeau believes accessibility is essential. “The only way to change how people see the district is for the people running it to be accessible,” he said. “You cannot do that from behind a closed door.”

Changing perceptions is one of his core goals. “We cannot punish today’s students for yesterday’s challenges,” he said. “Our job is to give them every possible chance to succeed.”

For anyone skeptical or frustrated, his answer is simple. “Come talk to me. Tell me why. We may not agree, but I will explain why I made a decision. That is how we build trust.”

Nadeau invites the community to connect with him directly by text at (567) 209-0318. He will also open his office to the public during events on Aug. 22 and Aug. 29 from 5 – 6 p.m. During the events, residents can visit, ask questions and learn more about the district.

More details are to be shared on the district’s website and social media.