Just as every experiment must eventually reach its conclusion, chemistry teacher Jen Cameron’s will say goodbye to Lincoln High School 23 years.
Students describe Mrs. Cameron as a teacher who challenged them to think critically, while creating a classroom environment where curiosity and growth were encouraged. Known for her patience, enthusiasm, and willingness to support students both academically and personally, she helps make complex science concepts approachable and engaging. Her classes emphasize not only understanding chemistry but also developing confidence, resilience, and a love of learning that students carried with them long after leaving her classroom.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Cameron taught chemistry at a variety of levels and became known for her enthusiasm for the subject. Junior Molly Comtois described her as “the epitome of a lifelong learner.”
“The most infectious part of who she is as a teacher is her fascination with chemistry,” Comtois said. “Mrs. Cameron is a teacher that loves her subject deeply and wishes to inspire the same curiosity in her students.”
While chemistry is always at the center of her classroom, Mrs. Cameron hoped students would learn lessons that extended beyond science. One of her biggest messages was that mistakes are an important part of learning.
“If you want to try something new, you’ve got to be prepared to make mistakes and be happy making mistakes because you know you’re learning,” she said.
That lesson resonated with many students. Comtois recalled one of Mrs. Cameron’s most memorable pieces of advice: “Mrs. Cameron once urged us to ‘be sure of your wrongness!’ She taught us to work hard and not hesitate in the process, even if we were downright wrong.”
Looking back on her career, Mrs. Cameron credits the people around her for making Lincoln High School special.
“The students make the job,” she said. “This is the hardest job I’ve ever had, but it’s the best job I’ve ever had.”
Over the years, former students have reached out to share how her lessons continued to influence them long after graduation. Some have gone into careers in medicine, engineering, and nursing, while others have even worked for NASA.
Before entering education, Mrs. Cameron worked as a chemist in research laboratories and chemical companies across the country. When she moved to Rhode Island, she discovered a passion for working with teenagers and decided to combine that interest with her love for science.
“I just enjoy working alongside teenagers as they begin to make these momentous decisions in their lives,” she said. “And I like helping them understand that science is fun.”
As she prepares for retirement, Mrs. Cameron is looking forward to spending more time with family, traveling, gardening, and caring for her three Labrador retrievers. She is also excited to become a grandparent.
Still, retirement is not simply an ending for her. She hopes to approach this next chapter with the same purpose that guided her teaching career.
“I want to live with purpose in retirement the same way I lived with purpose in all of my other jobs,” she said.
Although she is excited for what lies ahead, Mrs. Cameron said she will miss Lincoln High deeply.
“I just want people to know how much I appreciate the opportunity that I’ve had,” she said. “I feel incredibly privileged.”
As she leaves the classroom, her passion for learning and dedication to her students will remain an important part of her legacy at Lincoln High School.
