In my Freshman year at YV I had life all figured out. Life was about skating half pipes, skating the resevoir, skating at roller world. My friends Shamus "Bones" Berry, Blair "Rad Rat" St. Louis and I were on an endless pursuit of a good time. Most of the energy that I devoted in school was devoted to somehow slipping out of class and "skating by" with thinly passing grades.
My free wheeling lifestyle was interrupted when I was confronted by my freshman english teacher, Jane Juska. She was a short round cheerful lady with large round glasses and a masterful vocabulary. Ms. Juska sincerely cared for her students, even putz's like me. She conferenced with my Mom and me and explained to us that I was acting like a moron but probably still had some potential. Our meeting led to a contract of sorts where I was held accountable. I appreciated-then a little, and more later in life, that Ms. Juska had cared enough to reach out. The tips she gave me in the conference and the accountability that she demanded of me after that made a big difference in my school career.
By graduation Ms. Juska slimmed down to a petite little cheerful lady who always had smile as she walked through the halls.
My mother sent me an email with a link to an article about a book that Ms. Juska had published in 2004, sometime after she had retired. It was called "A Round-Heeled Woman". She went on to publish two more times, and her first book was made into a play that starred Sharon Gless (of Cagney and Lacey fame)playing most recently at Z Space at Theater Artaud in San Francisco last January and February.Check out the website for the play at www.aroundheeledwoman.com, or watch Charlie Rose in a conversation with Ms. Juska about her book "A Round-Heeled Woman", which chronicles her adventures in sex and romance late in life here.
I heard about this book when it was published. I loved the title, reference, and topic! I didn't know she taught @ YV! Brian, your story reminds me that acts of caring by a teacher can echo for years!
ReplyDeleteGreat story. My favorite teacher was probably Gus Edwards (I had him for AX Geometry Sophomore year) just because he was so quirky. I would see him frequently at the Longs Drug store in Countrywood.
ReplyDeleteAnother teacher that was a favorite was Mr. 'A' (Atkinson). He taught English and I had him for two years. He was definitely quirky, rode a bike from Bart to school, lived in the Haight and called us all Dudes and Dudettes. I remember having to meditate in class while he drank the dreaded 'ba-ta-ta' trying to catch us peaking around the room. I'll always remember analysing Bob Dylan lyrics that he played to us on a old crappy school record player. What a character and I do wish I could see him again sometime.
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