For Jennifer Grajewski, drama has been a lifelong passion. With 43 years of teaching experience, including 35 years in the Kent School District (KSD), she has inspired generations of students to find their voice, tell powerful stories, and make meaningful connections through the art of theater.
Jennifer’s path to teaching began in the sixth grade at Pinetree Elementary in Kent. Although she once imagined herself as a kindergarten teacher, her love for performance and storytelling grew over the years. A drama minor in college, she found herself teaching a wide range of subjects at the middle school level before creating a thriving drama program at Northwood Middle School, where she taught for nine years.
When the opportunity arose to join Kentridge High School, she seized it, spending the past 21 years helping students explore their creative potential. Today, Jennifer teaches Drama, Theater Design and Technology, and Leadership, while also serving as Activities Coordinator, managing clubs, events, and dances for Kentridge.
While drama is a deep passion for Jennifer, she is first and foremost a teacher.
“Yes, drama’s my passion, but really it’s teaching in general that keeps me going,” she said. “It’s about the kids—the ability to tell stories that mean something, that educate, and that can change people’s points of view. I’ve always tried to pick shows that are relevant to today’s world and hopefully influence my students and the community to be more tolerant and be more compassionate as human beings.”
Jennifer carefully selects each year’s productions with a focus on the real-world experiences of her students. This spring her students are putting on the musical Hairspray. “When I chose Hairspray, it was because it deals with biases, stereotypes, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues,” she said. “Our school is incredibly diverse, with students from over 100 countries. It’s important that the art I choose has a throughline that resonates with our students and community in a positive way.”
Jennifer believes that drama teaches students life skills that extend far beyond the spotlight. “To portray a character, you have to know who you are as human being. Taking on someone else’s perspective requires lots of self-exploration and a deeper sense of self.” Coupled with this self-exploration, Jennifer also is committed to making her program a safe and inclusive place for students. “I want my students to feel valued,” she said. She’s learned over the years that you have to dig below the surface level to have real relationships with students. “Don’t judge, and dig deeper,” Jennifer advises.
Looking ahead, Jennifer hopes drama programs will continue to thrive, despite the challenges. “Starting a program from the ground up and developing an audience that will help you fund your program is not easy,” she said. “You have to put in the time to teach acting and the technical side as well.” She encourages future teachers to not only work hard, but “take time to rest and reflect.”
As Jennifer reflects on her career, she is filled with gratitude for the KSD community. “I’m just really grateful,” she said. “My kids went through KSD and now my grandsons will too. I’ve had a lot of opportunities here.” After 43 years, Jennifer Grajewski’s impact on the students of Kentridge High School is undeniable. Through her commitment to storytelling, inclusion, and student empowerment, she has created a lasting legacy that will continue to shape young minds for generations to come.