Students thrive in classrooms where learning is fun, engaging, and meaningful. At Jordan-Small Middle School (JSMS), teachers strive to create that environment every day, and one standout educator, Jennifer Beaulieu who is the Industrial Tech Teacher, is making a lasting impact.
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| To meet student requests, Jennifer Beaulieu goes above and beyond her role as an Industrial Tech Teacher at Jordan-Small Middle School by leading activities like Spirit Club, Shop Club and the school newsletter, all of which are student initiatives. PHOTO BY LORRAINE GLOWCZAK |
“I have a lot of students who are eager for fun and exciting experiences,” Beaulieu said. “They crave hands-on learning, and their enthusiasm makes it easy to provide opportunities that go beyond the classroom.”
To meet students’ requests, Beaulieu goes above and beyond her role as an Industrial Tech Teacher by leading activities like Spirit Club, Shop Club, and the school newsletter.
“The best part is that students are having fun while learning,” Beaulieu said. “The clubs and newsletter are built around clear learning outcomes that align with 21st-century skills. Students collaborate, create, and take pride in producing meaningful skills that will serve them well in the real world.”
Beaulieu ensures that students don’t just learn – they thrive. For example, the School Spirit Club has not only designed new merchandise for JSMS students and staff but also taken initiative in fundraising for a laser engraver to produce their products. Through teamwork and innovation, they are bringing school spirit to life while honing valuable real-world skills.
Kaleb Fitch, an eighth grader at JSMS who helped to develop a new updated JSMS logo, decided to join because it looked like everyone was having a great time.
“I just saw all the cool things they were making and how much fun everyone was having, so I wanted to join,” he said. “Learning how to use all the tools and deciding who is going to use which ones has been another fun part. This experience has made school more fun, and it is cool to see students wearing the school merch that we made. Seeing people happy and wearing their school swag.”
The Shop Club also provides learning opportunities, including the chance to give back to the community. Evelyn St. Cyr, a JSMS sixth grader, is thrilled to be part of this organization because of her passion for creativity and art.
“I wanted to be in a shop club because I like making stuff and anything artistic,” she said. “I like making stuff and I thought it would be a good way to do that.”
Right now, the club is building a bench for students to use while waiting for the bus.
“The hard part so far has been figuring out what type of look we wanted for the bench and what kind of wood we would use,” St. Cyr said. “I asked people if they wanted a bench to sit on in the foyer. Then I wrote a persuasive letter to the principal to see if it would be okay. I felt strongly that we needed a bench for the front of the school because there wasn't anywhere to sit while we waited for the bus after school clubs. When it is all finished it will benefit so many students, and we will finally have a place to sit.”
The newsletter, The Roadrunner, goes beyond teaching writing and reading—it fosters student connections through interviews while also building skills in graphic design and research. The paper includes teacher highlights, fun facts, important dates and comics.
Beaulieu shared that while The Roadrunner has long been a part of JSMS, interest had declined over the years. However, with the upcoming school merger into Windham Raymond Middle School, enthusiasm for the newsletter has been reignited.
"Lucas Gasbarro, a fifth-grade student, approached me because he wanted to capture memories of his final years at JSMS," she said. "I felt it was important to support him in preserving these moments before JSMS becomes part of history."
Beaulieu said that Gasbarro and the rest of The Roadrunner team have been deeply committed to making the newsletter a success. Their creativity has brought fresh energy to the publication, including an updated design and logo.
Whether it is the school newspaper, the School Spirit Club, or the Shop Club, Jennifer Beaulieu goes beyond her role as an Industrial Tech teacher to support an environment where students feel empowered to initiate their own exploration, creation, and leadership. Importantly, her students are gaining real-world skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
By fostering collaboration, innovation, and a love for learning, Beaulieu isn’t just shaping her students' futures, she’s empowering them to shape the world. <
“I just saw all the cool things they were making and how much fun everyone was having, so I wanted to join,” he said. “Learning how to use all the tools and deciding who is going to use which ones has been another fun part. This experience has made school more fun, and it is cool to see students wearing the school merch that we made. Seeing people happy and wearing their school swag.”
The Shop Club also provides learning opportunities, including the chance to give back to the community. Evelyn St. Cyr, a JSMS sixth grader, is thrilled to be part of this organization because of her passion for creativity and art.
“I wanted to be in a shop club because I like making stuff and anything artistic,” she said. “I like making stuff and I thought it would be a good way to do that.”
Right now, the club is building a bench for students to use while waiting for the bus.
“The hard part so far has been figuring out what type of look we wanted for the bench and what kind of wood we would use,” St. Cyr said. “I asked people if they wanted a bench to sit on in the foyer. Then I wrote a persuasive letter to the principal to see if it would be okay. I felt strongly that we needed a bench for the front of the school because there wasn't anywhere to sit while we waited for the bus after school clubs. When it is all finished it will benefit so many students, and we will finally have a place to sit.”
The newsletter, The Roadrunner, goes beyond teaching writing and reading—it fosters student connections through interviews while also building skills in graphic design and research. The paper includes teacher highlights, fun facts, important dates and comics.
Beaulieu shared that while The Roadrunner has long been a part of JSMS, interest had declined over the years. However, with the upcoming school merger into Windham Raymond Middle School, enthusiasm for the newsletter has been reignited.
"Lucas Gasbarro, a fifth-grade student, approached me because he wanted to capture memories of his final years at JSMS," she said. "I felt it was important to support him in preserving these moments before JSMS becomes part of history."
Beaulieu said that Gasbarro and the rest of The Roadrunner team have been deeply committed to making the newsletter a success. Their creativity has brought fresh energy to the publication, including an updated design and logo.
Whether it is the school newspaper, the School Spirit Club, or the Shop Club, Jennifer Beaulieu goes beyond her role as an Industrial Tech teacher to support an environment where students feel empowered to initiate their own exploration, creation, and leadership. Importantly, her students are gaining real-world skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
By fostering collaboration, innovation, and a love for learning, Beaulieu isn’t just shaping her students' futures, she’s empowering them to shape the world. <
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