by Jen Myers
Times change, but one thing has remained a constant. In middle school English class, you will read and probably become obsessed with, S.E. Hinton’s 1967 coming-of-age novel “The Outsiders.”
The story of Sodapop, Ponyboy, the Greasers and the Socs growing up in 1960’s Tulsa continues to resonate with young people in large cities and rural enclaves across America – including right here in Lowell.
“The kids really love “The Outsiders”, it is amazing; I have been teaching it now for seven years and it never fails,” said Stoklosa Middle School 7th grade ELA/Social Studies teacher Deanna Couillard. “It’s a great way to start the year and to show kids that reading can teach us things and at the same time can be fun.”
Couillard, wearing a “Stay Gold” T-shirt (if you don’t get the reference, re-read the book), fully embraces the novel in her class – decorating the walls of her class with images and posters from the 1983 movie, playing selections from the soundtrack, and using words and concepts found in the novel to teach vocabulary to her multilingual learner students. The students, she said, even dressed up at Greasers and Socs for Halloween.
Couillard, a member of the Lowell High School class of 2010, has been teaching at the Stoklosa since 2022. Prior to that she taught at the Butler Middle School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and English with a minor in Special Education from Bridgewater State University and her master’s degree in English as a Second Language from Cambridge College.
“I always wanted to be a teacher, my mom even had to search high and low one Christmas for the 1995 Teacher Barbie,” said Couillard. “I decided to become a teacher because I love to learn. It is all I have ever wanted to do; I love to read, being able to talk to kids about books, stories and ideas and hearing their perspectives all day is interesting, humorous and valuable.”
She initially was interested in teaching elementary school, but as she started doing her observation hours, she realized that middle school content and that age group was more her style, especially when talking about books and a love for reading.
In addition to “The Outsiders,” 7th graders learn about realistic fiction, literary essay, drama, non-fiction, argument writing, poetry and historical fiction.
Throughout the year, we work independently on books of our choice, which is a favorite topic of mine,” said Couillard.
While middle school is a challenging time for many kids (and teachers), Couillard embraces the challenge and the opportunity.
“One thing I really appreciate about middle schoolers is that each and every day is different and new, sometimes each and every hour,” she said. “I believe it is important to see students as real people with real things going on and modeling how to really handle that. You get to really see how kids grow and make gains as people in all ways, academically, emotionally, and socially.”
For Couillard, the school day does not end when that final bell rings.
“Deanna is highly involved in numerous after school clubs and always stays late to assist students in need,” said Stoklosa Principal James Cardaci. “Her dedication to Stoklosa students is praised by all her colleagues and parents in the community; she has consistently given maximum effort to assist her students.”
Couillard said she asks the students about their interests and then creates after school clubs to meet those interests – the TRIO Book Club, SEL Club, Inclusivity Club, K-Pop Club, Restorative Justice through art (YWCA), and Makeup/Brow classes with local makeup artist, Barbara Rodriguez.
“I also always tell my students if they need a quiet place to just read or complete work, just set up a time with me and the door is open,” she said. “It is important to me to be involved with activities outside of the classroom because school is a safe place for kids to be and it is important there are people to support that.”
All About Mrs. Couillard:
Dream Vacation: So many places. I’d have to say Thailand.
Favorite song to sing in the car: Beyonce
Favorite meal: Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Favorite snack: Barbecue Chips
Favorite Movie: The Grinch
Favorite Book: Anything Jason Reynolds
Favorite TV Show: Real Housewives
Favorite Fictional Character: Matilda
