Janet McDowell:
CLASS OF 1973
Viscount Bennett High SchoolClass of 1973
Calgary, AB
City UniversityClass of 1992
Bellevue, WA
University of CalgaryClass of 1976
Calgary, AB
Cross High SchoolClass of 1970
Calgary, AB
Glamorgan Elementary SchoolClass of 1967
Calgary, AB
Janet's Story
After high school, I went to U of C and completed a BED in Secondary Art Education by 1976. I was also married after my degree and prior to starting work in September. And yes, it was to my high school sweetheart, Jim Baker.
I started substitute teaching that September and also worked at a variety of temporary contracts. By 1979, I got a permanent placement teaching Art at Ernest Morrow Junior High school and I stayed there for 10 years. I also met my second husband there an we were married in 1983. It was so much fun with the young staff and we partied as much as we worked. Many people from that group continue to be my best friends today. I also was a co-ordinator for the Fine and Practical arts department. In 1989, I moved to Jack James Senior H.S. to teach art. I also developed a work program to develop student skills in the field of matting and framing art. It was a real success and teachers from everywhere came to get their worked matted and framed. During this time I was also wanting a change in my career. After much research, I entered a Master's degree program at the Leadership Institute of Seattle through City University in 1991. After 3 years of working full time at Jack James H...Expand for more
.W. along with completing a thesis via action research and Statistics and Theory orals, I completed my Masters Degree in Applied Behavioral Science majoring in Leading and Consulting. I was ready for change and making change. However, my adopted daughter arrived in 1993 and my interest in her was much more significant that I had expected. I didn't end up shifting my career and I spent my time with her more than with my career.
After a car crash that was not caused by me in 1997, I eventually had to give up working as a teacher by 2003. I developed ME/CFS, FM and chronic myofascial pain so that became my new life challenge. It was freedom 48 for me but it wasn't as easy to adjust to all that free time when all my friends continued to work. Seven years later, I've figured that all out and I would be unhappy if I had to return to work.
But then after 25 years of marriage and the stress of illness (my husband became ill also), we decided it was best to go our separate ways.
Being a modern woman and enjoying life with a partner, I'm on the brink of marriage again and the adoption of a 3 year old son. I've always believed it's never too late so I continue to make decisions that make me happy.
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