Deb Jokela has worked in education for 27 years as a special education teacher, elementary classroom teacher, special education supervisor, elementary assistant principal and principal. She has a passion for working with teachers, students and their families. She is a firm believer that all students can succeed when they are involved in supportive, positive learning environments where they have a sense of belonging. She loves to partner with parents and teachers of students to ensure the best possible learning experiences which are engaging and have social emotional learning within the classroom environment.

Ms. Jokela attended Minnesota State University, Moorhead where she earned her bachelor's in Elementary Education, and completed licensure requirements to teach special education. She earned her master’s from St. Mary’s University where she also earned a K-12 administrator’s and director of special education licenses. She has worked in St. Cloud Area School District since 2012 and has been at Oak Hill since 2016 as an assistant principal and principal.

Jokela has been married for 30 years to Pete and they have three children. They were excited and happy to welcome their daughter-in-law to the family in September of 2020! They love to travel together, especially west to Montana and Oregon to visit family and skiing in the winter and hiking, and adventures in the summer. They enjoy spending time together with their three dogs in addition to the three dogs their children have! She likes to read, cook, hike, ski, go to concerts and watch movies. 

Email: Debra Jokela

Email: Shannon Bruskiewicz