My Sister - My First Teacher

I was told it started after my birth. The almostMaster's degree in Guidance and Counseling. She
decade that separates us made all the difference toworked full-time as a teacher in Broward County
a nine year old who already had one older andSchools as she worked on her Masters. Her son was
younger brother and one younger sister. The agesent to private school during the day and in daycare
difference wasn't vast enough for her to take on thein the ghetto after school. There were many times
same role with them that she did with me.she would take him to the sitter's in his pajamas and
I was her real-life baby doll. Because of her, I waspick him up after classes at night, in those same
walking at nine months and potty-trained at twelvepajamas. That family would get him off to school and
months. She knew at an early age she wanted to beto daycare, after school.
a teacher when she grew up. Naturally, I became herJanet became a Guidance Counselor at Coral Springs
first student. She cared for most of my needs, I'mHigh School. She is an outstanding educator. She was
told. She carried me on her hip as if she were mypromoted to Dean of Students (Assistant Principal) at
Mother. Actually, we called our mom, Mother but IPiper High School because of her outstanding
called her, Momma.performance. The students loved her. The parents
Yes, my oldest sister Janet was my second momrespected her. Disciplinary actions were accepted
but my most memorable teacher. Her classroom waswith a "thank you" from them to her, even if the
our home. She taught me to read and write by agestudents were being suspended. They knew she
three. Being fascinated by the comics, she used themloved them, cared for them and was fair with them.
as her textbook, initially. She noticed I would 'readBy the time she became a Principal, she had earned a
the pictures' and make up stories about what I saw.Specialist in Administration and Supervision by
My first teacher found an apt pupil in me and did notattending evening and weekend classes. Her son left
look back.private school and attended high school where she
I remember her going off to college to become awas the Principal. Most of the students called her
'real' teacher. Our parents could not afford to send"Ma" just as he did. If there were gang related riots
her to a four year university straightaway; therefore,at school, they would come to her office to make
she attended a community college in a nearby town.sure she was safe.
All requirements were completed to graduate butKnowing her son would soon be going to college, she
because of racial prejudices, there was a 'mix-up' withparticipated in the Florida Tuition Voucher Program to
her grades and she was not permitted to graduatefund his education. Desiring to reach the academic
with her class. She would have been the firstsummit of her profession, Janet earned a Doctorate
African-American to have done so at this communityin Education and my sister -- my first teacher
college and that was not going to happen.became H. Janet Ward, Ed.D.
Mysteriously, this was cleared after the graduationEducators are not in education because of the rate
ceremony had taken place and she received herof pay. So many like Janet, were born to be
Associates Degree.educators. It's in their blood and they love it.
There was no stopping, Janet. She earned a BachelorDr. H. Janet Ward-McMillon has lived her life's purpose
of Arts degree in English from Bethune-Cookmanfor nearly 35 years. She will retire at the end of this
College (now University). To my delight, she wouldschool term. There have been many meetings to
come home every weekend. I was still her student.persuade her to participate in Florida's Drop Program
She made sure I was reading everything I could putfor another five years. She has refused. She has
my hands on. I remember wanting to readfound another way to continue her calling as a
Rosemary's Baby but she would not permit it. I haveteacher but on a spiritual level. She participates in a
not read it to this day. She said it was inappropriatePrison Ministry for women and at an Assisted Living
at my age, around 12, and I took her word for it.Home for seniors. She'll always be a teacher at heart.
My sister, my teacher was an adult now andHer message will be different.
ventured out into the world to make a difference.Janet has been the most influential teacher, outside
Her first job was as a Reading teacher at the Middleof my parents, in my life. She taught me from the
School our youngest sister attended. Watch outclassroom at home as a child and from the classroom
world! She has a classroom! Janet was (and still is)of life as a teenager and adult. She taught me
tough and demanded so much from her students.reading, writing, arithmetic and what it means to
She was on that job but one year before somepersevere. As a single parent, employee, or student;
beau swept her off her feet.she never complained or asked for help.
They married and she relocated to Savannah,Dr. H. Janet Ward-McMillon is one distinguished
Georgia. There, she continued working as a teacher.educator who is appreciated and respected not only
She became a mom and the family soon relocated toby her family but the thousands of lives she helped
South Florida. Her marriage ended in divorce and myto shape as an educator over the past thirty-five
sister, my teacher found herself a single parent.years. We are proud to herald her as Teacher of the
She enrolled at university again and received aYear for Life!