Janet Grant, a Happy Valley High School teacher looks over papers with her English class. She will retire this year, but not after making a lasting impact in the lives of her students. Photo By Dave Boyd

Local teacher retires after distinguished career

By Megan R. Harrell
Star Staff
mharrell@starhq.com

   Janet Grant graduated from Happy Valley High School in 1956, then returned to her Alma Mater four years later and began her teaching career. Grant was only four years her senior students' senior when she first started out and admits that she was a little green back then. However, for more than 33 years at the school she has learned a thing or two about education.
   Grant has seen major accomplishments over her years at the high school. She recalls having to come home and having to go straight to the shower because she had taught without air conditioning all day. The addition of the air conditioning was an issue of comfort, but one that marked part of the school's metamorphosis under Grant's watch.
   Some of Grant's work was not rewarded immediately. She waited for years to see some goals accomplished. Grant was part of the school's first attempt to develop a musical band. About 10 years ago she was thrilled to see the school's band organized. "I can truly say that my career here has been rewarding. It has not always been a picnic, but it has been very rewarding," Grant said.
   After years of work, Happy Valley High School was added to the Southern Association of Schools. The accreditation came as another milestone of sorts to the county school which struggled with budgetary issues. The school did not own it, but the school board made the purchase of the baseball and softball fields and field house.
   In her career Grant has known what it is to teach in a school where there is no ethnic diversity, and been privileged to learn from diversity when it arrived at Happy Valley. "When I first started teaching at Happy Valley we had no students of another race. We have several African American students, and we have foreign exchange students," Grant said.
   Technology development was one of the biggest changes for Grant. She recalled that when she first started teaching she did not have a copying machine at all, and now she uses a machine that staples and sorts papers for her.
   Grant stated that she has run the gamut as far as involvement in school activities. Grant has been active with the school's drama club and Scholars Bowl. "Drama in high school is so important for students who do not participate in sports or do not have an outlet for their creativity. Drama is always a place where teachers can be surprised by students' performances," Grant said.
   Grant's play cast from two years ago honored her by planting a tree underneath her classroom window. "You never know how your life has impacted another person. That is the great thing about teaching," Grant said.
   She started working with the Scholars Bowl in 1987 and has seen students travel to Knoxville each year to compete with other schools. Grant also works with the school's literary magazine. The project was organized by the English department to showcase students' creative writing.
   "What I am the most proud of is that many of my students are now teachers all over the county," Grant said. "I can't imagine myself doing anything else. I think this is my God given talent and I feel that this is where God has wanted me to be."
   Grant also recognized the fact that she has made friendships among fellow teachers that have lasted all through her life. She has also enjoyed being a mentor for younger teachers coming into the profession.