Dream Big Grants in Action: Stitching Skills for Life
QJHS Life skills-basic sewing Program Threads Confidence, Creativity, and Community
By: Katie Rodemich ’02
At Quincy Junior High School, students are learning far more than what’s found in textbooks. They are gaining the kinds of hands-on skills that last a lifetime—such as how to sew on a button, cook a meal, or stick with a project from start to finish.
Principal Brenda Fleer believes these kinds of life skills are essential, especially in today’s world.
“I believe sewing is so important for junior high students because it is a lost skill. We live in such a throw-away society where if something doesn’t work or a button falls off, we don’t problem solve or try to fix anything ourselves but instead throw it away. Giving students skills like being able to sew on a button or repair a hole in clothing can not only save money but sewing can also be a great creative hobby or outlet that most students may not even have known about before this class.”
She sees the Life Skills program as perfectly aligned with the school’s broader mission to help students grow into capable, confident individuals.
“Middle school is about finding oneself and a place to belong and become. Learning life skills like cooking, sewing and budgeting are all part of something bigger in life. I always told my students to dabble in as much as possible so that when you are invited to any table, you belong at that table. In other words, you can have conversations about so many different topics because you know a little something about each. Middle school is about exploring. We want students to explore and see if cooking and sewing is something they enjoy. So far… all of our students have really enjoyed it! It’s hands-on, and they are able to transfer it to home! That’s true learning—when it transfers!”
This belief has helped fuel a growing Life Skills program at QJHS—one built on creativity, community support, and the commitment of the teacher, Toni Smith. In Smith’s Life Skills–Basic Sewing class, the rhythmic hum of sewing machines and the rustle of fabric signal something deeper than just a school project. Students are building confidence, independence, and real-world competence—one stitch at a time.
Thanks to a $12,000 grant from the Quincy Public Schools Foundation and the dedicated backing of Fleer and others, the sewing program—designed specifically for the school’s cross-categorical classroom—has taken root and is already yielding impressive results.
“Sewing is a life skill that anyone can benefit from. This is a valuable skill that an individual can use well into life. I just hope I can tap into this skill and get even just one student interested in sewing,” said Smith. That simple hope has become a transformative reality.
Smith developed the curriculum entirely on her own, seeking out practical topics, planning projects, and working with minimal materials in the early stages. She reached out to companies like Joann Fabrics for donations but found external funding difficult to secure.
Even in its early phase, the class gained traction. Students engaged enthusiastically with hand-sewing tasks, learning not only how to make simple items like pillowcases but also honing hand-eye coordination and focus—skills that support cognitive development.
The QPS Foundation grant, awarded in December 2023, gave the program a significant boost. It enabled Smith to expand the curriculum to five sections of Life Skills classes and acquire needed supplies such as fabric, thread, sewing tools, and machines.
For many students, this class is more than a school requirement—it’s personal. Smith shared a touching story of one student who became so invested in sewing that he got a machine for home use. He later made a pillow for his grandfather’s casket, applying his skills in a deeply meaningful way. “I was gifted a machine to give to a student and one girl put two plastic bags full of her Comet coupons in the drawing. She asked me for several weeks when I was drawing and was so excited when she ended up winning the machine,” Smith recalled. These moments are common in her class, where hands-on learning often leads to real-world application.
While sewing is the cornerstone of the class, the Life Skills program extends well beyond the fabric and thread. Students learn to plan meals and cook, manage budgets, write checks, and maintain a check register. They explore potential careers, practice writing thank-you letters to staff and community members, and engage in lessons on respect, responsibility, and bullying prevention. Even small but practical tasks—like sewing on a button—are included, reinforcing the everyday usefulness of these skills.
Building the curriculum wasn’t easy, especially from the ground up with limited resources. As Smith explained,“The initial challenge was deciding and finding things to teach as I have developed the curriculum myself. I was given some topics, but everything has been my searching for topics to teach. Getting supplies for various projects in Life Skills such as cooking supplies, sewing supplies, etc. has been a challenge. However, people have been gracious in supplying items. Brenda Fleer has a budget and has supplied cooking supplies, my Mom has been very generous and has bought a lot of materials for the sewing unit. We would not be able to do the sewing unit without the grant that we were awarded. When we do the sewing unit, there are some very helpful ladies who come to help me teach: Cami Mock, Barb Edwards, and Shelley Arns. If there are others who sew and would like to help, they would be more than welcome to come. Any other suggestions or others who would like to help with other topics would be very welcome too.”
Smith emphasized that no two class sessions are the same—by design.
“There really isn’t a typical class session as each unit we do is different,” she explained. “My goals are to keep improving the class and find new and fun things to teach that can be used in life.”
Smith and Fleer both believe strongly that junior high is the ideal time to introduce these practical life skills.
“I think it is important to teach these skills at the Jr. High level because the students are old enough to do these things on their own,” said Smith. “Some kids have to cook for themselves after school and this way they learn some skills to use.”
Principal Fleer emphasized that middle school is a critical time for self-discovery—and learning to sew or cook can help students find confidence, purpose, and a sense of belonging. She also reflected on how these skills connect generations and resonate on a personal level.
“This class has definitely become a student favorite. Kids go home talking about it. I’ve even had the teacher reach out because the students want me to come watch them cook or sew. I remember taking classes like these myself. Not only were they fun, but I still remember the skills I learned.
“I love to cook. My grandmother was a wonderful seamstress, and my mom made many of my clothes—she even made my prom dress! My mother-in-law is an amazing seamstress as well. I just wish I had learned more from them and had more of those experiences in school.
Classes like these teach students important academic skills like measuring and budgeting, but just as importantly, they show that both boys and girls can learn to sew and cook,” said Fleer.
While the initial grant got the program off the ground, both Smith and Principal Fleer understand that long-term sustainability depends on continued community involvement. The class thrives today thanks to generous donations, volunteer support, and creative budgeting—but maintaining that momentum isn’t guaranteed.
As Fleer explained, community backing is essential. “It takes community support which we are SO grateful that we have. However, without that, we would not be able to sustain programs like these. These are extras, and while so very important, these opportunities would be the first to be cut. Purchasing food and sewing materials is all additional funding.
“The reality is that hands-on, skills-based electives like this often fall outside standard budgets, making every donation, grant, and helping hand critical to keeping the program alive.”
To keep the program thriving, Smith and Fleer continue to seek out new funding sources. They’re actively applying for additional grants, and portions of the school’s building budget are already being redirected to support the growing needs of the class. Community members are encouraged to volunteer, and ideas for new skills or units are always welcomed.
“We are always writing grants to help secure funding. I am also using some of my own building budget to ensure that Toni gets what she needs,” Fleer said.
As the Life Skills program continues to gain momentum, the question of expansion is beginning to surface. With its clear impact on students at QJHS, some have begun to wonder whether similar programming could benefit other grades or schools across the district.
For now, the idea remains just that—a possibility.
When asked about the potential for expanding Life Skills offerings, Principal Fleer was thoughtful but realistic.
“I’m not sure and I haven’t really thought much about it. I do know that QHS has the culinary arts program at QAVTC and students can take that as an elective.”
While the high school offers career-focused electives, what’s happening at QJHS is something uniquely rooted in early adolescent development—an introduction to essential life tools that students might not encounter otherwise. For now, the priority remains on strengthening and refining the program where it began. Still, the growing enthusiasm and impact have certainly opened the door for future conversations.
Fleer sees Life Skills as an important part of offering students a truly well-rounded education—one that values many paths to learning and growth.
“A well-rounded education means that students are introduced to a variety of different opportunities. While robotics and computers might interest one individual, culinary arts or sewing might interest another. Providing different opportunities like agriculture and art and music gives all our students different opportunities to dabble in different courses to see what might interest them for a hobby or even a career.”
That spirit of exploration is exactly what makes the Life Skills class so meaningful—and why, one stitch at a time, it continues to leave a lasting impression.
As the program grows, so does the excitement surrounding it. Students are bringing their experiences home, and the enthusiasm is spreading throughout the school community. What began as a simple classroom initiative has evolved into a meaningful, hands-on experience—one that equips students with real-life skills and leaves a lasting impression well beyond the classroom.
