News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
The tight-knit community that is Sisters School District is mourning the passing of Diane Jacobsen, who died last Saturday of cancer.
Amid the sadness at the loss of a friend and colleague is a deep respect for a dedicated teacher, who knew from the fourth grade on that that's what she wanted to do and be.
Her commitment was profound. Often she spent Sunday mornings in the classroom preparing lessons, correcting papers, and developing new programs for her students. This became known as her "church." Returning home late sometimes, she would joke that the sermon had been especially long that morning.
"I think she had really high expectations for herself and for her colleagues and her students," said fellow teacher Tina Fiedler. "And she'd never ask anybody to do anything she wouldn't do herself."
Diane's true love was teaching the fourth grade, a year in which students learn Oregon history. On the first day of school with full gusto Diane greeted her students with "Welcome to the fourth grade, the best year of your life!" Inspired by Oregon pioneer Nellie Zook, Diane had a real passion for the explorations, migrations, and peoples that shaped the American West.
Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery, the practices of native tribes and the Oregon Trail were amongst her favorite topics. Her enthusiasm for local history led her to initiate, develop and lead the fourth grade field trip - which remains part of fourth grade curriculum today.
On the trip students tour sites along the Oregon Trail and visit Fort Clatsop, Fort Vancouver, Oregon Trial Museum and the John McLoughlin House. For many years the trip included visiting the Astor Column and the tide pools of the Oregon coast.
Perhaps the most memorable experience of each trip was the singing she enthusiastically led while on the bus. Sing-a-long songs such as "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean," "The Bear Went Over the Mountain" and "Baby Bumblebee" continue to echo in the hearts of her students.
David Hewitt described himself as a student as well as a teacher when he started teaching fourth grade. He and Kirk Albertson noted that all her curriculum revolved around Oregon and Native American history.
"It all fit together like a glove on your hand," Hewitt said.
Diane led fund-raising events to cover the cost of the fourth grade field trips. For many years she led the production of a school/community carnival and started the famous Valentine's Day kiss-o-gram fund-raiser that remains today. Diane established the staff and community "Poor Man's" party, a potluck held the first Friday of the school year before the first payday.
Each spring for many years, Diane's passion for Oregon history led to the annual Pioneer Day at Sisters' Village Green Park. Students dressed as pioneers and enjoyed pioneer food and games, ending the day with the Virginia Reel square dance.
Diane also shared her wealth of knowledge on the Native American populations in Oregon with her students. Diane introduced the fourth grade Pow Wow, an event that provided the students and parents an opportunity to experience Native American dress, foods, games, songs, drumming and legend writing.
"That's all Mrs. J's stuff," Hewitt said. "And that's still here even though she's not."
Diane is also known for striving to teach all her students cursive writing. Every morning on the chalkboard she wrote, in cursive, the daily lessons for her students. Many teachers and friends envied her penmanship.
Friends knew that she was kind, thoughtful, honest, sincere, thorough, and always interested in others. She went above and beyond expectations in every endeavor, and put others before herself. Her friendly personality radiated from her in all that she did and with all those she met. She loved life, family, and friends.
"She gave 100 percent to her students," Norma Pledger said. "It's remarkable when a teacher can give so much of herself and she did that for 20 years. She never gave up on any student... She worked really hard to get the most out of every student."
And they have repaid her with fond memories of a favorite teacher.
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