Mackenzie Shultz

Gendron and Rute welcome visitors to Jupiter High with a smile.

Curt Gendron and Tara Rute, members of Jupiter High’s front office staff, are the first to greet students and faculty as they walk into the school. Their friendly persona and attentiveness produces a welcoming environment at all times of the day.

Gendron previously worked in journalism at NWR Advertising, then helped launch fine jewelry in the House of Chanel and finally found happiness in teaching students.

“I got sick of retail,” Gendron said. “People have said to me for years, ‘why don’t you be a teacher, you’d be a great teacher.’”

Gendron began substitute teaching at the Benjamin School, where he discovered his true calling: working in a school setting and helping incoming generations. He then started teaching at Duncan Middle School before working full time at Jupiter High School, where he has been settled for almost 11 years. Gendron now coaches the Jupiter High Swim Team and helps run the main office by answering all calls, printing passes and helping parents. 

“[Gendron] is always happy and excited to help and talk to you,” Hope Wiggins, junior, said.

Rute started working at Jupiter High at the start of the 2023-2024 school year and has also worked at Jupiter Farms Elementary and Jupiter Middle School.

“My kids were in school and I wanted to be on the same schedule as them,” Rute said. 

A huge portion Grendon and Rute’s focus is the safety of faculty and students. With a main entry point going through the front office, only Rute and Gendron can open the door. Rute pays attention to the mannerisms of the person before allowing them inside.

“I will not open the door if someone is acting strange,” Rute said. 

Thanks to the front office staff, Tara Rute and Curt Gendron, Jupiter High School runs smoothly. Being the first staff members anyone sees, their judgment of character allows the students and faculty to feel a sense of security about who comes in and out of the building.

“We’re the first pair of eyes to see,” Gendron said. “We have a little code that we use, a glance at one another, or if something is going to go awry. We have the attention of a police officer.”

Given their cohesive dynamic, they have created an environment to which students feel comfortable and safe. The front office has become an atmosphere releasing good energy representing Jupiter High School. 

“When I ask questions they always know the answers,” Kailey Clugston, senior, said.

Students remember the smiles shown or the helping hand.   

“I remember waiting for my dad to pick me up and [Gendron] said, ‘do you want to sit here?’ He let me sit in the comfortable chairs while I waited,” Connor Murphy, sophomore, said. “That was really nice of him.” 

Rute and Gendron spread kindness, and encourage others to do the same.

“When you walk in, say good morning,” Rute said. 

Jupiter High would not be the same without our front office staff.

“I know the office staff does a lot for us students, and I’m happy we have them to help,” Wiggins said.