|
Jane Rife. Who is she? Well, first I’m your English teacher – you lucky duck - but I’m also a wife, a mom, a person who loves to people watch on the beach, and someone who loves to go out to great restaurants for dinner with my awesome chef husband, Chris, and my fabulous son, Justin. I love to take naps on sunny, cool afternoons (but moms don’t get to do that), watch T.V. (yes, I love T.V.), read books (love that Harry Potter) and magazines (especially Reader’s Digest), and enjoy walking and riding my bike with Justin for fun. My very best friend, Janet, has been my best friend my whole life. She was my maid of honor when I got married and is godmother to my son. She is brilliant, beautiful and lots of fun. Most importantly, she’s always my friend – even when she’s angry with me. That’s the sign of a true friend. I live in Erma now, but grew up in a wonderful old house on Washington Street in Cape May. Yes, I’m a proud graduate of LCMRHS – class of 1981. I loved my childhood and have many fond memories of Cape May and my home, but let’s face it, those old houses are wild! Heat? Every room upstairs – including my bedroom was freezing, the pipes froze on cold nights and the floor boards creaked when I’d try to sneak in past my curfew. Electrical outlets were scarce, and we would hang the laundry out to dry on the clothes line. It may sound crazy, but I miss it - it made for funny stories. I am the youngest of five children and I was truly a surprise to my parents as my sister closest to my age had graduated from high school long before I was born. I am the proud daughter of a commercial fisherman and the second person in my family to go to college. My mom was wickedly creative – she could do anything, and my dad was brilliant and should have gone to college, but his family couldn’t afford it. No financial aid in his day. My mom was a lover of language and my dad loved to read and tell stories about his adventures. I hope I am a little of both of them. Over the years I have been described by my students as a “nice” teacher - and I am! I am kind and friendly and I love to laugh and to have fun in the classroom. I will not yell at you for missing an assignment (although I will be disappointed and sometimes I am a smarty pants). I’ll merely make a mark on my grade sheet and say, “Ah…” Never mistake kindness for weakness or easiness. I have lots of expectations for you and even more for myself, so I’ll do my best not to let you down. I love being a teacher – it’s the best job in the whole world – I love being with my family and will brag about them often – and I do love Shakespeare! Finally, I hope to transfer some of my passion for literature and drama to you. Enjoy your school year!
|
