Jenny Freedman, Josiah Quincy Elementary School
Ms. Keefe’s fifth graders at Josiah Quincy Elementary School recently welcomed Jenny Freedman, founder of Groom with Me, through Boston Partners in Education’s Pathfinders program. Jenny spoke to the students as part of their IB exhibition projects centered on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
In their exhibition work, students select a UN Sustainable Development Goal, develop a line of inquiry to guide their work, and design a community impact project connected to that issue. This year, students chose goals like Zero Hunger, Life Below Water, and Life on Land to explore how global challenges show up in everyday life.
With Jenny’s visit, students gained a new and engaging connection to their research: pet grooming.
Jenny shared her path in building Groom with Me, a South Shore-based pet grooming business, and described how she developed a team by training others in professional grooming skills. Students learned that grooming is essential to animal health, comfort, and well-being.
The conversation also focused on environmental impact. Jenny explained how Groom with Me participates in efforts to recycle collected pet hair into filtration mats that help absorb oil and toxins from wastewater through the organization Matter of Trust. She also described business choices aimed at reducing waste, including purchasing shampoo in bulk and offering refilled reusable containers to customers. The visit helped broaden their understanding of how everyday services can intersect with sustainability and entrepreneurship.
Thank you to Jenny Freedman and Groom with Me for spending time with Ms. Keefe’s classroom! Through Pathfinders, Boston Partners in Education volunteers share career experiences through one-time classroom visits designed to help students explore future pathways and interests. The program is offered across elementary, middle, and high school levels with age-appropriate focus. Interested in becoming a Pathfinder? Apply here: Pathfinders Speaker Application
