Janovsky pursues jam business

After 10 years of teaching in the Fine/Applied Arts Department, Jane Janovsky, the current graphic and photography teacher, has decided to resign from her teaching career. Janovsky will complete the rest of the 2014-2015 school year, then will continue her jam business, ‘Just Jane’s Artisan Jams’. Spotlight had contacted Janovsky for in interview regarding her departure from SHHS. This is what she had to say:

Spotlight: When will you be leaving ?

Janovsky: This will be my last school year, so I will not be back in the fall.

Spotlight: How long have you worked at the HS ?

Janovsky: This year will complete my 10th year at SHHS

Spotlight: What classes have you taught over the years ?

Janovsky: When I first started at SHHS I taught mostly fine arts and a couple of Graphics classes. By my third year I was teaching mostly Graphics, and Curt Coggin (former Graphics teacher) and I expanded the Graphics program from being based on printing operations…we had a printing press in the room 101, which is now another Mac lab…to digitally based commercial design, which is the current standard in the industry. The Graphics program grew so quickly that we had 6 Graphic Arts I classes running in one year! I added Graphic Arts levels 2 and 3 so that students could continue in the program for another two years. Several years ago we added Digital Darkroom, a semester long course for those students interested in digital photography, and last semester we ran the first Digital Darkroom II class.

Spotlight: What are some of your favorite moments at SHHS with students/teachers ?

Janovsky: One of the things that I’ve enjoyed the most has been the opportunity to work with groups of students for three years in a row. I have known my current group of Graphics 3 students since most of them were freshmen. At the end of their Graphics 1 year we opted to   make a group video, and that has been one of my fondest memories…the making of Dead School Musical. We had so much fun brainstorming and creating as a group, and still laugh as we watch the final result. I also have some great memories of working as yearbook advisor alongside Curt Coggin in my early years. It was exhausting, but for those two years I was deeply engrossed with all things SHHS, from sports, to activities, to what was happening in other classrooms, and to student performances.

Spotlight: What are some of your future plans after leaving ?

Janovsky: I am leaving because my specialty foods jam business is growing rapidly. I have always had the desire to be an entrepreneur, and this is the first real venture…other than my ongoing freelance graphics work…that has the potential to support me financially in the future. Teaching absorbs a great deal of my energy and time, which, starting in July, I will apply to pushing my business forward. On average it takes several years to get a food business to a profitable level, so in the meantime I am going to utilize my graphic design and photography experience to support myself.

Spotlight: Do you plan to return to SHHS in the future ?

Janovsky: Currently, I do not see myself returning to education, at least not in a full time capacity. It is both scary and exhilarating to leave my teaching career of 15 years, but I know that the transition will be successful, and I am excited to explore the new opportunities that await me.

Spotlight: What will happen to those students who signed up for your classes next year ?

Janovsky: The Graphics and Photography program will continue at SHHS after I am gone with a new teacher who, hopefully, comes in with a new perspective and creative approach. I encourage students who are already signed up for these courses to stay involved and get inspired with the new leadership. After all, how could you go wrong with Photoshop?

Spotlight: Is there any other comments, or any messages you would like to share that I haven’t already asked ?

Janovsky: I would like to thank my students for the great experiences in the classroom. Working with them has been the greatest aspect of this journey, and I have learned so much from being in their presence on a daily basis. I hope that I have been able to impart some useful information that will enhance their lives, or have at least encouraged them to feel good about exposing their creative visions. I would also like to extend my respect and admiration to a devoted and talented faculty. SHHS is very fortunate to have such a high caliber of professionals who care very deeply about student growth and success. I wish them all my best.

Spotlight has also contacted some of Janovsky’s students about this subject. Here are what the students had to say:

Sam Harris, Junior: “I have been in Graphics with Ms. J for three years. I’ve taken Graphics 1, 2, and 3. My favorite part of the class was when we 3D printed a dinosaur. I also really like getting ready for the Art Shows. Ms. J is one of my favorite teachers and I will be very sad when she leaves. It won’t be the same without her.”

Brianna Ingham, Junior: “Ms. J is really nice and genuine. She is actually interested in students lives. I have her for advisory and she doesn’t force us to do anything. She is very open and we have a lot of fun. Sometimes she lets us taste her jam when new flavors come out. Her jam is really good and highly recommended! I really do not want her to leave, and we will all miss her a lot.”

Roman may be reached at [email protected]