Elaine Collins:
CLASS OF 1957
John Muir High SchoolClass of 1957
Pasadena, CA
Woodrow Wilson High SchoolClass of 2002
Los angeles, CA
California State UniversityClass of 1962
Los angeles, CA
Pasadena City CollegeClass of 1959
Pasadena, CA
Elaine's Story
Life
I graduated from Muir - 1957. Attended PCC for 2 years, went to Cal State LA. Started teaching at Wilson High School (LAUSD) in fall of 1962. I had one son - Justin. (He past away May 5, 2005) My expertise was Physical Education. When the school moved down the street, up the hill I became the Drill Team Teacher, Dance Teacher, gymnastics teacher - 1971? I had a girls' gymnastic team at the school up until 2001. I retired from teaching in 2002. I remarried in 2001 to the Band Director. We both work with LAUSD All-City Band that marches in Rose Parade. We have been doing that for 7 years.
Hope to continue that. While teaching with my Drill team, we participated in 1976 BiCenntenial ceremony at Coliseum, 3 Superbowl games - half-times, 1984 Olympics, Closing Ceremony of World Soccer Game held at Rose Bowl. Noel and I did another Rose Parade this year - rain and all. Immediately afterwards we got involved in Foothill Musical Theater - We were a part of the My Fair Lady cast. Noel had the role of Mr. Dolittle and I did the choreography and played the Queen of Translavania. We had 6 performances what great fun. Noel is attending Northridge. Decided to get his master's in music. I am back to playing tennis and taking care of my mother, who will be 93 years old in March 2006. Please email me. I love to hear from former students and what they are doing with their life.
Teaching has kept me young and in good health. Retired I'm playing some tennis, and enjoying life outside of the teaching world. When one teaches it can become a 24/7 life. I know now it is important that life no matter what profession, it is important to balance one's life, keeping God in the center. I lost my mother in May 2006. I lost my son, Justin, the year before in May. Attention all females - BE SURE TO GET YOUR MAMOGRAMS EACH YEAR. Because I did, the doctors were able to catch my breast cancer in stage 1. Now is it the end of Oct. 2006 and I am finishing up my radiation today. I am a survivor. Watch your lifestyle girls, also you guys (you can have breast cancer also.). Looking forward to getting on with my life.
It is fall 2007. I decided to go back to school. I am attending LA Mission College. I am taking up early childhood education. I have a really great teacher. I am learning about teaching from a whole different prospective. A teacher should teach the child, not just the subject. My husband, Noel, is also in school. He attends CSUN. He is working on his maste...Expand for more
rs' in Music Ed.
Every day I thank God for the blessed life he has given me.
Workplace
I taught at Wilson H.S. for 40 years. Loved teaching.
Teaching helped me to have a healthy mind and body.
I've had so many "daughters" and a few "sons". I taught Physical education which I feel very strong about. Wilson's Drill Team/Colorguard was extraordinaire. They won beaucoup awards. My dance classes which were very important. My last year I finally established a strong "The Dance Company". Loved my gymnasts. Broke my heart when we lost the gym and could no longer have a team.Now I am learning to live a life outside of school. Tennis ,golf, house cleaning (ugh),reading talking to people outside of education. My last 6 years I have worked with Tall Flags of All-City Band, marching in Rose Parade. I plan to continue doing that. I met a wonderful man, Noel Collins, band director at Wilson H. S. He is now my husband. We have been married 3 years. A wonderful person to share life with. Thanks to all my students - they have made me the person I am today. I love the emails that have been sent to me by former students Please let me know what you are doing. I can see it has been some time since I updated my bio. August 23 we are celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary. I feel really blessed. I am doing quite well this summer. Took up kickboxing to get my strength and energy back. My husband is working on his masters degree in Music Education at CSUN. I'm considering going back to school to pick up early childhood education. I've taught vacation Bible school the last couple of summers with the 4 and 5 year olds. Really liked working with them. Looking forward to working with All-City Tall Flags again. Rosa Aguilar helped me a lot last year. Hoping she will help me again. Well, it is April, 08. I have volunteered at the local elementary school. My help is needed in a 2nd grade class. Out of the 17 children, 7 of them have learning problems, social or academic. Elementary teachers really work hard.
My hat goes out to them. I think the mistake education makes is that the emphasis is on the subject, not on the child. I think education is pushing academica too fast. Play is really important to teach prosocial skills, sadly lack in the children of today.
This is evident by all the fighting that takes place among our students. School should not just be the academics, but how to function as a human being. So much for my lecture of the day. Tune in again
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