February 25, 2005


Teacher of the Month: Janet Prince

Janet Prince, who retired from Norwood Creek Elementary School last June, is the Evergreen Times Teacher of the Month for February. Shreya Iyer, now a seventh grader at Quimby Oak Middle School, nominated her.

Prince worked for the Evergreen School District for 33 years, 23 of which she spent at Norwood Creek teaching first through fifth grade students, as well as the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program. During that time she also produced and directed musicals such as “The Nutcracker” and “Goin’ Buggy” for her second, third and fourth grade classes.

Here’s what Shreya has to say about her favorite teacher. “I first met Mrs. Prince in August of 1999. I was fortunate to have her as my class teacher. She looked so tall and elegant with an ever-smiling face and the soft curls of her hair. She was always tolerant of our class, and she would reward us for our good deeds. One thing I enjoyed about Mrs. Prince was she would encourage education and our intellectual capability.

“I never knew of anyone in my second grade class who got a time-out or a punishment all through the year in her class. She never needed to punish and all her students were always well behaved. Even the rowdiest of the lot would have calmed down by the first couple of weeks in Mrs. Prince’s class. Such was her charm and method of teaching.

“I also loved second grade because that was the year we put on the play, ‘Goin’ Buggy.’ Only three classes helped put on the play, and my class was one of them.

“At first when Mrs. Prince gave me one of the lead roles, I chose not to do so because I was afraid to stand and talk on the stage. She encouraged and helped me learn my lines. I still remember what a wonderful time I had learning my lines and singing the songs.

“This was also the year that I had my first asthma attack, and Mrs. Prince was always there to help me, always concerned about how I was doing. When I missed the SAT and STAR testing due to asthma, she called my mom and asked if I could come on one day even if it was only for a few hours so that I would not miss taking the test.

“My nervous mom stayed in the office room until I finished my testing and then took me straight home to more rest, inhalers, etc.

“Every single day all through my days at Norwood Creek Elementary, I made it a point to meet her. Somehow, she knew if I had a good day or a bad day. She always had a few words of encouragement for me.

“When fourth and fifth grade got tougher, she always gave me pointers that helped me keep my focus and continue on my road to success. During reading recess, a program where the upper grade students were picked to read to the primary classes, I chose to read to the students of Mrs. Prince.

“I knew that Mrs. Prince’s students would be the easiest to handle. After all, I was just a fourth grader.

“I moved on to Quimby Oak for sixth grade, but I always spent some time with her and her students every week. Mrs. Prince chose to retire in June 2004. Norwood Creek feels different without my Mrs. Prince, and surely Room 8 will never be the same without the petite Mrs. Prince and her positive demeanor.”

If you would like to nominate a teacher for this column, please submit your reason why to Bea Baechle, Editor of the Evergreen Times, by e-mailing bea@timesmediainc.com or calling (408) 494-7000, ext. 203.