Jerry Halfmann was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in 1952 and moved with his parents and eight brothers and sisters to Tucson in 1967. He first attended Catalina High School as a freshman and then transferred to Sahuaro High School in 1968. During his three years at Sahuaro, his accomplishments included All City and All State Cross Country and Track runner. After graduating in 1971, Jerry attended Central Arizona College on a track scholarship, graduating with an Associate of Arts Degree in 1973. He expanded his interest in photography by working at the Casa Grande Dispatch newspaper for a year. Jerry then went on to complete his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from ASU in 1977, Master’s Education in 1985 from Northern Arizona University, and computer technology certification in 1995.
He began his teaching career at Tucson High School in 1977 in the field of photography. In addition to his photography, he has served as yearbook advisor, class sponsor, club advisor, department chairman, cross country and track coach. He is actively involved in school, local, state, and national committees in planning and implementation of programs that will benefit students. Currently, Jerry is serving as the treasurer of the Tucson High Parent Student Association and treasurer of the National Photo Imaging Education Association. In the past, he has served on the Sahuaro High Cougar Foundation, Tucson High Badger Foundation, Arizona Cross Country Coaches Foundation, and the Arizona Industrial Arts Education Association.
Honors received include the Arizona Vocational Teacher of the Year (1988 and 1990), National Runner-up Vocational Teacher of the Year, Arizona Vocational Program of the Year (1985 and 1991), Tucson High School Teacher of the Year, National Winner of the Photographic Excellence Award, National Recognition as one of the top three photography programs in the nation (1993 – present), and International Grand Prize Faculty Portfolio winner (1996).
Tucson High School students under the instruction of Jerry Halfmann have dominated the local, state, and national photography contests during the 1990s. Jerry has been to married to Teresa since 1982.