RSU 14 students reach fullest potential through student-centered, results-driven JMG program

Jen Dumont, JMG core specialist, works with her students
at Windham High School on organization, study skills,
self-advocacy, the art of conversation, learning styles,
professional etiquette, self-care and more.
PHOTO BY LORRAINE GLOWCZAK

By Lorraine Glowczak

In the 1980s, studies indicated that American elementary and secondary students consistently tested lower in science and math than their European and Asian counterparts. As the 1990s drew near, schools in the US continued to lag behind and the dropout rates were increasing. It was at this point that the approach to teaching began to shift as experts in the field recognized that a curriculum based upon a "one size fits all" model was failing many students and the "college-bound only" culture was leaving many unprepared for life after graduation. Determined to change the tide of the faltering educational system, Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) was established in 1993.

According to its website, JMG partners with middle and high schools as well as with colleges to help students reach their fullest potential by offering classes and activities led by JMG Specialists. Areas of focus include career preparation, college transition skills, leadership opportunities, critical thinking, financial literacy, community service, and more.

"JMG Specialists can develop student-centered, personalized education plans, delivered through a competency-based curriculum focusing on academic knowledge, career development skills, and teamwork." the website said.

RSU 14 is host to four JMG Specialists, three at Windham High School that include Jen Dumont, JMG's Core Specialist, Julie Stone, High School Completion JMG Master Specialist, and Kerry Kowalczyk, JMG College and Career Specialists who runs a MELMAC grant focusing on all students' post-secondary planning success. Windham Middle School is host to one JMG Specialist, Fernando Hinojosa.

"JMG at the middle school level is designed to prepare students with the skills and experiences they will need to not only be ready to take their next steps for high school but after high school graduation," Hinojosa said.

Presently, Hinojosa and his students are learning about careers in the fields of culinary arts, carpentry, financial industry, and entrepreneurship to name a few.

"As we learn about their careers of interests, we focus on each student, helping them to become confident and effective leaders in their future careers and the community."

Dumont, who has been a JMG Core Specialist for eight years – five of those at WHS, said that the high school program has grown with student interests in recent years due to the middle school's participation, fostering high school success.

"When I first began teaching at WHS, I had a total of 30 students with just five classes," Dumont said. "Now, I have six full classes with over 70 students participating."

Dumont said that she thinks of JMG curriculum as providing tools for students' toolboxes for their high school career and beyond.

"Some of the skills we focus on are organization study skills, self-advocacy, the art of conversation, learning styles, professional etiquette, self-care and so much more," she said. "One of the coolest things about this class for me is watching the relationships develop between my students. I also get the opportunity to meet students where they are and teach to them as an individual. Together, we get to take our perceived weaknesses and change them into our strengths."

While Dumont teaches in a more "traditional" classroom setting, Stone works with smaller groups, supporting them in building their resumes, preparing for college, interviews, etc. She also works with students from ages 16 to 24 who are facing barriers to graduation and are credit deficient, meaning they require remediation or credit recovery to be able to graduate on time. Thirdly, she helps students who have withdrawn from the traditional graduation pathway and are seeking their high school equivalency through adult education.

"Many of my students get individualized support to help them achieve their goals in getting their high school diploma or equivalency," Stone said. "All of our JMG programs provide a continuum of support, providing monthly follow-up to our students for a year after they graduate. This allows students a soft handoff to the next step, whether it be post-secondary or the workforce. One of the neat things about JMG is that, in our continuum of support, we have JMG specialists at some of Maine's colleges (see website below for a complete list). This makes an easy transition for our JMG students because before they even step onto a campus, they have already met someone they can go to for help or advice."

Stone also helps students with organization, job readiness skills (being on time, appropriate behavior, etc.), and setting goals, not only short-term, but also long-term goals.

"Helping students visualize their goals and then helping them to achieve those goals is probably one of the greatest parts of my job. Seeing students set a goal at the beginning of the year to graduate, and then to see them reach that goal is one of the greatest joys I have had in my life."

JMG Specialists are very enthusiastic about the curriculum and the positive impact it is having on the students' school experience and success – now and in the future. The students also share this same enthusiasm.

Senior Chase Connelly began the JMG program with Stone last year. He said that JMG is helping him get caught up and on track to graduate on time.

"I've been able to focus a lot better and get more work done since I joined JMG and I would have probably been on the five-year plan if I had never met Ms. Stone and Ms. Dumont," Connolly said. "Having teachers that are good at teaching and communicating with students helps a lot because I enjoy going to my classes and getting the work done if the teacher's chill or easygoing."

Connelly said that JMG will continue working with him after he graduates. "They will help me after I graduate as I research different schools and different types of jobs I can get after high school."

Other JMG participants share their perspectives. Junior Haley Atherton has been a part of the JMG program with Dumont for the past three years and her confidence has grown since she was a freshman.

"JMG has taught me to find my individuality – to dig deep into who I want to become in the future," Atherton said, who plans to be a Forensic Scientist.

Junior Shannon Bailey, who has plans to be an Equine Therapist, said she feels more comfortable speaking up for herself since participating in the JMG program.

"I have learned social skills and to advocate for myself more," Bailey said of her experience this past year. "Before I took this class, I was really quiet and didn't talk much."

Bryce Vance is a senior and has participated in the JMG program said he feels ready for his future, making plans without feeling stressed.

"It's nice to be a part of a relaxed class while you are doing your work," Vance said. "It is a goal-oriented class and in the making of goals helps me to prepare for the future."

Although JMG has been established as a successful educational program for 28 years, they are always in transition to keep up with the ebb and flow of education and students' needs.

"JMG is an ever-changing, growing, and innovating program filled with school staff and specialists whose only concern is students' success," Stone said.

For more information about JMG and participating schools: www.jmg.org <