Chances are if you went to Inchelium school from 1979 to 2004, you knew Mrs. Judd. Full of energy and enthusiasm, Janet was a teacher who made an impact on Inchelium students during her tenure. She still currently volunteers in the community.
1) When did you first learn about a town called Inchelium?
When Steve & I were at Whitworth we met. At the time I hadn't heard of Inchelium. I met Steve & Dale Kohler at the same time. Not long after we started dating. The guys would come home to Inchelium over some weekends & I was invited to come too sometimes. At that time the ferry was the old wooden one, 1957-58. I met Irene Kohler, the first grade teacher here. What a great friend she became. We talked teaching, does that surprise you? Way later when she was 104, she asked if I still missed my teaching. I said yes & she agreed that she did too.
1.5) Where were you born and raised? Where were you schooled?
I was born in Marshalltown, Iowa. Soon we were in WWII. Well, my Dad being a flier, we moved from Conrad to Ames, where there was a base, he was a flight instructor. We moved several times during the war as many did. Think I was in 4 different schools by the time I was in 5th grade. Ending up in Newton, Iowa. We ran an airport there for a couple of years then moved to LaGrande, Oregon. Had never seen a mountain until then. Very impressive for an eleven year old when all you've seen is miles & miles of flat land of corn & soy beans. haha In it's own way it's beautiful too.
Just a little interesting thing. My dad started me flying a Piper Cub when I was about 8 1/2 years old. I couldn't reach the rudders because my legs weren't long enough yet, but I flew the using the stick, there were no stirring wheels then in the small planes. Dad did the rudders for me. Mr. William, Bill, Piper was a friend of Dad's & was on the airport at least a couple of times. I love to fly & wish I could have gotten my pilots license. Oh well, one cannot do all!
Ended up staying in LaGrande until I graduated. Then off to Whitworth in the state of Washington.
2) What were your first impressions of the town?
It was a small and interesting place, and was fun to get to know the people. I had moved lots so really felt much at home going into & learning about this town that was in the mountains. Being with Steve & Dale made it okay with the locals that I was there. Will add here, while teaching in the HS, the kids had lots of questions about what it was like on the outside. In 1979 the kids didn't get off the reservation as much as they do now.
3) When did you get hired as a teacher here?
Steve & I were married in 1959, he then went to college at Oregon State University, in Corvallis, Oregon, to become a Wildlife Biologist. I taught 3rd grade there for the 3 years putting him through school. I took grad classes while there.
I started teaching here in 1979, when we moved here so Steve could be the tribes Wildlife Biologist. He had been doing grizzly bear research in Yellowstone over the past five years. I actually started teaching in HS, speech & English, as the teacher had moved away. They wanted me to stay there in HS, but I'm a reading specialist so seemed realistic to be with the younger kids starting out. I know I loved getting to know the students & learning about all the celebrations etc. that went on.
4) Do you remember anyone from your first class?
haha. I can name some of the kids I had in 1961 in Corvallis, OR. Have taught in & have certificates for WA, OR, ID, MT, & MINN. Reason for so many states is the Wildlife studies took us to several places. Yes, I can name quite a few from here, which include a couple of nieces. Itsy Phillips was my aide that year. Several in that class are teaching now and/or very active in communities.
I also remember many of the HS students, that soon were going to be the parents of my first grade classes. What a great way to get to know the whole community very quickly.
5) What was your teaching philosophy?
Basically my philosophy is all students are important and need support to achieve their life goals. AND as much as I moved I figured that school had to be lots better than what I had. A grade-school science teacher, 4-6, in Iowa gave me so much belief in myself that it has carried me through my life. Between her & my Dad, they both said "believe in yourself, set your goals and go for it." Everyone can use a good support system.
6) After you had lived in Inchelium for a while, what did you like about it?
I like & enjoy the people & working with them. I like the area and being near the outdoors, being free from lots of traffic. The area is so beautiful, many places to enjoy going & doing. We are close & far enough to shop when we need, to get away when we need. It's always a good idea to take a walk or be in a quiet place & to listen to your inner thoughts to keep your life going in the best & positive direction.
7) You and Steve had your own farm/ranch where you raised animals. You don't see that a whole lot in Inchelium anymore. Why was it important to do that?
It's who we are. We enjoy our animals and we felt like we were contributing something instead of letting the rest of the world take care of us. This included involvement with 4H, with our kids & others in the community. As you know many lambs visited my classroom much to the enjoyment of young & old.
8. Who were your children and did they all go to Inchelium school? Where are they now?
Both our son & daughter went to school in Inchelium. Dan is a computer person, lives & works in Michigan. Carolyn is a teacher, lives & works in Spokane.
9. You retired after how many years? When you reflect on your career as a teacher, what did it mean to you to teach in this community?
I taught in Inchelium 23 years. But I started teaching in 1961 and retired in 2001. Mean to me? It means so much to keep in touch with so many, to know that teaching in the classroom goes so much farther that those four walls. The friendships are there no matter what. I've had many from the class of 2003 that still remember that trip to Seattle. :-) I remember thinking that this class were "go getters" So we started making money to take a trip to Spokane. But, oh no, that's not far enough. Contacted my teacher friend in Seattle area & there you go. As you know we visited many neat places including the Space Needle, the Flight Museum & several other places. After we got home someone in the class thought that is was really neat to have gone into a very large bank. There was one complaint however. One classmate thought that they should have given out dollar bill samples.
10. Is there anything else you can share that I may not have asked about? How about, what are you doing to occupy yourself/yourselves these days?
We have had sheep until last year. Missed the lambs this past spring even if they are lots of work. I have done some volunteer work at school until the last few years. We both like to hunt so have gotten our deer most every year. We both got our bucks this year. Can I say, yes I've retired, but have missed my teaching so very much. Had I the option "to do retirement over again, I'd teach several more years before calling it quits."
Photos taken from Janet's Facebook page.
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