Jane Warren graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines in 1964. That same year, she attended Simpson College in Indianola majoring in education. In 1968, she obtained a diploma in education as well as a certificate to teach from kindergarten to 9th grade. She furthered her education by taking courses and workshops from ISU, Drake University, Viterbo University, and numerous AEA-7 workshops.
Shortly after graduating from Simpson College, Jane married Bob Harrison, a native of Indianola and also a Simpson graduate.
“When we lived in Iowa Falls, I taught 2nd and 3rd grades in Hampton and Iowa Falls,” Jane said. “While taking time off to raise our two daughters, Suzy and Beth, I did substitute teaching in Iowa Falls. I have covered a range of courses for physical education teachers, content courses, industrial technology and art. By replacing these college students, I discovered that I also really liked working with them.
In 1984 the Harrison family moved to Waverly when Bob accepted a managerial position at Harrison’s Variety Store. Unfortunately, the store closed after a year, and Jane determined that the substitute teaching she was doing for fun was going to have to get more serious. Jane had served as a substitute teacher at St. Paul’s Lutheran School and in various positions at W-SR. In 1985, she accepted a fifth-grade (one-year) teaching position in Denver, Iowa.
“I didn’t have much notice. I was hired on a Friday to start the workshops on Monday,” Jane said.
The following year, Jane accepted a more permanent position in the W-SR school system. For the next four years, she taught sixth grade at Shell Rock, sixth grade at Irving, second grade at Carey, and fifth grade at Shell Rock. In 1990, Jane moved to W-SR Junior High and taught seventh and eighth grade language arts and co-taught eighth grade math and language arts. After devoting 22 years teaching to W-SR and 26 years teaching in total, Jane retired in 2008, along with 16 other teachers and staff.
“Working at W-SR has been rewarding,” said Jane. “I have worked with four superintendents, four principals and numerous teachers and support staff. I have taught for many of my friends and colleagues, but never my own. I have accompanied classes on trips overnight camping in Ewalu and Spring Brook.I have been a Buildings Rep for several years and negotiated for five years with W-SR EA crews.
In retirement, Jane reads various books, plays in a bridge club and rides her bicycle on long distant trips. She attends exercise classes, volunteers at church, and visits friends in other cities. Jane belongs to Delta Kappa Gamma, an international society for female educators. She is currently part of a readers theater group called Cedar River Readers and as often as she can, she enjoys attending her children’s and grandchildren’s activities.
Jane and Bob’s daughters, Suzy and Beth, are both W-SR graduates.
