Thanks to the practical visionary: Dr. Wayne Jennings

The following column originally appeared in a number of APG of East Central Mn newspapers during May and June, 2026.  They included Sun Current,  Sun Post, Sun Sailor,  Laker Pioneer, ABC (Anoka, Blaine and Coon Rapids newspapers),   Press&News, Aitkin Independent Age, MilleLacs Messenger, Forest Lake Times,  Monticello Times, Morrison County Record,  Faribault Daily News, Union Times.

 

Wayne Jennings: Thanks to the practical visionary

 

There are so many reasons to thank Dr. Wayne Jennings. He was perhaps one of Minnesota’s most influential educators in the last 50 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a “gandy dancer” – driving in railroad spikes. He ran canoe building, housing, and plastering businesses. He translated these experiences into things that matter to young people. For example:

 

• In 1971, he helped create and was the founding principal of a St Paul Public School option that held individual student, family, and educator conferences for every student, BEFORE school started in August. This meant the first contact between home and school is positive and productive. It allows educators to learn about each student, gives students and families a chance to describe their hopes and dreams, and allows educators to list 50 ways that families can help the student and school.
• The school, then called St Paul Open School, was named a “carefully evaluated, proven innovation worthy of national replication” by the U.S. Office of Education.
• Now known as Open World Learning Community, it continues individual August conferences, 50+ years after its founding. Several Minnesota public schools have adopted this idea.
• Helped establish a public school graduation requirement in 1973 that included every student, with assistance from family and educators, to develop a post-high school plan for education and work that reflects students’ interests and talents. The Minnesota Legislature adopted this idea, beginning with the 2013-14 school year (40 years after the public school that Jennings led began doing this). The law states that each public high school “must assist all students by no later than grade 9 to explore their educational, college, and career interests, aptitudes, and aspirations and develop a plan for a smooth and successful transition to postsecondary education or employment (and) be reviewed and revised at least annually by the student, the student’s parent or guardian, and the school or district
• Assisted families and educators in creating several district and charter public school options. Jennings helped demonstrate that there’s no single best school for every student, educator, or family, decades before Minnesota adopted open enrollment, Area Learning Center, and charter public school legislation.
• Helped arrange for students at the public school he led to take free classes at a local university, years before legislators approved the Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) law in 1985.
• Promoted active, hands-on learning, including teaching a magic class, while principal, to help students develop confidence and public speaking skills.
• Served on 20+ education and community boards, including a suburban school board, which he chaired.
• Received dozens of awards from local, state, and national groups. This included being named one of “100 Distinguished Alumni” by the University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development.
• Wrote a book, School Transformation

Former Bloomington School Board member, Minnesota House Education Committee chair and Commissioner of Education Alice Seagren called him a ‘brilliant, kind man.”

Former suburban district superintendent John Thein says that Jennings provided “wise counsel during my tenure as superintendent…he always put the well-being of learners as his top priority.”

Former Minnesota public school educator and state legislator David Bly described Jennings as “someone I consistently turned to (in order to) consider what education initiatives I should advocate.”

Here’s his full resume.

Despite remarkable accomplishments, he remained understated and humble. He was a friend and inspiration to thousands of educators, students, and families. That includes me.

Jennings, 95, died on May 5 at his Roseville home. He’s survived by his daughter, Susan; Joan Sorenson, a fellow educator and wife of 50+ years; and other relatives.

Joan & Wayne

Jennings dedicated his book and professional life to “educators past and present striving to give each child programs for active citizenship, productive, satisfying careers, lifelong learning and self-fulfillment.”

He modeled how to do this.

Memorials are preferred to the Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs or the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools.

In his last note to me, Jennings wrote: “Keep up the fight for youth. I’ll be watching from somewhere.”

Joe Nathan, PhD, has been a Minnesota public school educator, local PTA president, researcher and advocate. Reactions welcome, joe@centerforschoolchange.org