June 17, 2004

The following is a submission by Shana Moore:

Jan Whitlach, Los Alamitos’ Bounty 

When you think of treasure, your mind can’t help but leap to images of gold medallions and precious gems buried in ornate chests. This connection is so engrained in our minds that if we were forced to play a round of the association game on the proverbial couch, 99% of our brains would head straight to the days of pirates, or at the very least to Johnny Depp. I, too, would have been part of the 99% if my child had never been a student in Jan Whitlach’s first grade class.

After only a few weeks of school, we knew the real meaning of treasure. And just like with gold coins, Mrs. Whitlach’s value was appreciated long before it could be looted or, in her case, retired from the most noble of professions.

While each and every teacher my children have encountered at Los Alamitos Elementary School has done a marvelous job at nurturing and encouraging our children to academic and personal success, Jan Whitlach stands out as the diamond in a sea of sparkling rubies and sapphires. The value packed into that one little gem of a teacher is both dazzling and priceless.

For a parent, the whole idea of sending your child to a full day of school can be daunting, but when you realize that fate has put your child in the hands of a professional so dedicated to children that for the next 180 days she treats them with as much care as she would her own flesh and blood, you know you’ve struck educational gold.

Jan’s mild manner and passion for learning are contagious. For parents who work in the classroom, it is nearly impossible to believe that there are 20 would-be squirrelly 6-year olds just 15 feet from the partition that separates you from all the magic. They work, instead, like quiet little mice as she guides them with the most gentle of voices. On the occasion you have a question to ask of her, you must first peek around the wall to see if she and the students are actually in the room because of their quiet concentration. It’s amazing that all of the wiggly children who were dropped at the door can be so engaged and enthused without a single riotous sound.

It’s no surprise that Mrs. W’s class mascot is Curious George, merely a stuffed animal to those who don’t know him. But he’s also a symbol of curiosity that might get a monkey into trouble, or a child to remember that a curious mind is one that is always learning. To an awe-struck parent observer, George is yet another reminder that there are no accidents in Jan Whitlach’s class. Her gentle, enthusiastic nature and vast understanding of both teaching and children won’t allow for that.

Jan’s dedication can also be quantified by the hours her “little red hot car” spends parked in the school parking lot. If you ever see it for sale, you can be assured of low mileage—because that vehicle has hardly ever left the school lot. Jan spends hours each day understanding her students’ needs and planning for the excitement ahead.

Her fun themes are enjoyed not only in her classroom but around the school in the events she organizes. Whether the entire staff greets you on Halloween dressed a la Dr. Seuss or sings you a personalized song at the end of the year at the Volunteer Appreciation Tea, you know it is Jan’s time, effort and creative talent that brought it all to life.

Though my daughter’s experience with Mrs. Whitlach is now two years old, I still mourn the loss of a teacher who makes the magic of Harry Potter look mundane. While the next generation of students won’t be able to benefit from her enchantment, it is my sincere hope that she retires knowing that for those of us who have been touched by her gift and passion, she has redefined the concept of treasure.