Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools

Pioneering Education Through Innovation

An Indiana school district leading in AI integration, workforce readiness, and student-centered learning.

Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools (GJCS) in Indiana stands at the forefront of educational innovation, blending cutting-edge technology with a commitment to workforce readiness. Under Superintendent Tracy Lorey’s leadership, the district has embraced AI in classrooms, launched groundbreaking safety initiatives, and forged deep ties with local industries.

“Our goal is to engage students in educational excellence so they can have lifelong success,” says Lorey, emphasizing a holistic approach that supports academic, social-emotional, and career development.

From kindergarten career exposure to AI-powered learning tools, GJCS prepares students for a rapidly evolving economy, standing as a model for modern education.

Core Values and Mission

At the heart of GJCS is a clear mission. “Our ultimate goal is that when students complete their learning journey with us and receive their diploma, they are fully prepared and positioned to take their next step—whatever path they choose,” explains Lorey.

The district takes a holistic approach, nurturing not just academic growth but also social-emotional well-being and safety. “We support the whole student by addressing all of their needs comprehensively,” Lorey adds, “whether that’s academic, social, emotional, safety.” 

Central to this vision is the “Profile of a Graduate,” a framework instilling workplace ethics and key attributes from kindergarten onward. Through career-linked learning and hands-on experiences, students develop resilience, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, ensuring they’re ready to thrive in an evolving workforce.

STEM and Early Career Exposure

GJCS plants the seeds of career readiness as early as kindergarten. “Students are getting some exposure to careers as early as  kindergarten,” says Lorey. “Our teachers link careers to learning as it makes sense.” This foundation is strengthened through hands-on STEM labs in elementary schools, where students tackle projects that spark creative thinking and teamwork.

A standout initiative is the district’s microelectronics program, developed in partnership with Purdue University and the Department of Defense. “We’ve been incorporating microelectronics units of study at all levels,” Lorey explains. “The Department of Defense in partnership with Purdue University and Crane Naval Base have recognized microelectronics as an area of priority for the nation as a whole.”

The district equally values the arts in its STEAM approach. Students explore design thinking and creative problem-solving, ensuring a balanced skill set. This comprehensive approach prepares students to excel in both technical and creative fields, an advantage in today’s innovation-driven economy.

Technology and AI in the Classroom

GJCS takes a balanced approach to technology integration. “We do have an obligation to engage our students with technology in an appropriate manner to help them understand what tools are available to them and then how they can best use those tools,” Lorey shares. “My view of technology is that it has a place in learning, but it is not the only thing or the only platform that students should rely upon as their sole source of knowledge and productivity.” The district ensures students learn to use digital tools effectively while maintaining traditional learning foundations.

As an early adopter of AI in Indiana and nationally, GJCS implements SchoolAI to transform education. “On a teacher’s side, it’s going to help with planning and saving time, but also help us identify every single student’s specific needs,” Technology Integration Specialist Matt Pryor explains. 

For learners, AI chatbots serve as personalized tutors. “They’re going to be able to communicate and ask questions that they typically wouldn’t ask in a classroom,” Pryor notes. “Now they can get that individual help.” Advanced learners similarly benefit, diving deeper into subjects through AI-driven exploration.

Teacher Support and Professional Development

GJCS invests in its educators through targeted professional development that reflects the same student-focused approach used in classrooms. “We’re differentiating support for our teachers,” explains Lorey. “Just like our students, some are highly self-motivated, while others need additional guidance and support.”

Central to this effort is Pryor, who works directly with teachers to help them understand and leverage AI as an educational tool. His guidance empowers educators to embrace, rather than resist, student use of these technologies while establishing appropriate classroom applications.

Building on the success of literacy initiatives, mathematics will become the next professional development priority. “This next year we’re going to start building the resources and the concepts that we will need to engage our teachers with so that as we make that the focus for our students, the teachers feel supported and know and have at their disposal a support system to help them implement,” Lorey notes, maintaining the district’s commitment to equipping educators with evolving best practices. This ongoing investment ensures teachers feel valued and prepared to implement new initiatives effectively.

Equity, Inclusion, and Student Support

GJCS embraces a comprehensive whole-child approach, ensuring every student’s needs are met. “We’ve made a targeted attempt to make sure that each school has at least one and in some instances, two social workers that can support our students,” explains Lorey. The district goes further with a unique wraparound coordinator who links school, home, and community services for at-risk youth.

Addressing nationwide mental health concerns, the district combines proactive and reactive measures. “We’re not immune to these national trends,” Lorey acknowledges. Adding that school social workers “help them [students] regulate and be able to be ready to learn in the classroom.” 

For English learners, specialized programs provide essential academic support, “ensuring that they have what they need in order to find success academically in our system,” Lorey states. This multilayered support network, from mental health to language acquisition, creates an inclusive environment where all students can thrive.

Infrastructure and Safety Innovations

In addition to school safety plans, emergency protocols, and monthly drills, GJCS  is pioneering school safety through its groundbreaking SafeEvac system, the first of its kind nationally. “The SafeEvac system is really the installation of smart evacuation exit signing,” explains Lorey. The system features smart evacuation signage with real-time monitoring, two-way communication, and automatic emergency alerts. “In the event of an emergency the sign and the software triggers through sound and then it’ll turn on the camera and then the signage will direct individuals away from threat by using color coding,” Lorey adds, calling it a “game changer” for school safety.

The district is also expanding early learning opportunities, adding preschool classrooms at Jasper Elementary to meet community demand. Its innovative employee childcare program, serving children from birth to age five, doubles as a work-based learning site for education students. “It’s a value-add for our employees,” Lorey notes, while providing hands-on experience for future educators.

These strategic upgrades demonstrate the district’s commitment to creating safe, modern learning environments that benefit both students and the wider community.

Hub 19 and Workforce Readiness

At the heart of GJCS’s career preparation is Hub 19, a dynamic partnership connecting schools with local industries. The initiative offers 32 career pathways, from automation/robotics to healthcare and construction trades, giving students real-world experience in high-demand fields.

The district’s experiential learning program is remarkably comprehensive. “,” “ We’ve designed a K-12 journey where career exploration is woven into every step, with local partners from industry and healthcare to nonprofits, shaping experiences that empower students to envision and pursue their futures with confidence”,explains Dana Kunz, who recently transitioned from career counselor to leading Hub 19 as the Dubois County Director of Workforce Readiness.

Eighth graders participate in the Career Cruise, engaging with 65+ industry partners in hands-on activities. Ninth graders take the Tour of Opportunity, job shadowing professionals in fields such as engineering and healthcare. “We’ll send them out to an industry partner who  is eager to give students a two-hour  window into what engineers and other professionals inside their organization do,” Kunz adds. The culmination comes at Senior Decision Day, where students choosing employment or military service are celebrated alongside their college-bound peers.   

Looking Ahead: Priorities for the Next 18 Months

GJCS’s forward-looking strategy focuses on a few key priorities to maintain its educational leadership. The district plans to expand early learning opportunities, “to try to capture as many of our children before they enter school age, to give them good foundational experiences, to prepare them for school readiness,“ Lorey shares. 

Core academic competencies remain central, with intensified focus on literacy and mathematics to meet Indiana’s new diploma requirements. The district will scale up work-based learning programs, ensuring all students gain hands-on experience through expanded internships and apprenticeships.

AI integration will continue evolving, preparing students for technology-driven careers. “I think if you have certifications in each of those pathways that students can do, maybe during a homeroom, if they’re going into marketing, that they get some sort of AI marketing certification tied into with their pathway,” says Pryor, ensuring graduates remain competitive. These strategic priorities reinforce GJCS’s commitment to developing well-prepared, future-ready graduates.

A Blueprint for Modern Education

GJCS stands as a model of educational innovation, successfully blending technology integration with workforce readiness. From its groundbreaking SafeEvac system to AI-powered classrooms and robust career pathways through Hub 19, the district prepares students for tomorrow’s challenges. 

“We want to make sure that our students are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and work ethics that they will need to make them successful for that next step as they graduate our program,” shares Lorey. 

With continued focus on early learning, core academics, and cutting-edge technology, Greater Jasper demonstrates how schools can evolve to meet both student needs and workforce demands. This comprehensive approach ensures graduates enter an evolving economy with confidence, skills, and real-world experience.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools

What: A forward-thinking district implementing AI in classrooms, pioneering safety technology, and building robust career pathways

Where: Jasper, Indiana

Website: https://www.gjcs.k12.in.us/