Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Janis Rogers Barlett is known around LGHS as a second mom to many students.

Janis Rogers Bartlett wins Educator of the Year Award

By Michelle Alaimo

The Los Gatos High School Parent Teacher Student Association has named Janis Rogers Bartlett the 1996-97 Educator of the Year.

Rogers Bartlett, resource specialist, was nominated by her peers, students and the community. As a resource specialist, she teaches a little bit of everything to students with learning disabilities. Rogers Bartlett says her students are all very bright kids, with average or above-average IQs, but have some sort of processing deficit that interferes with their memory, such as poor vision or trouble with written expression.

"She has quite a history of successful students and is able to teach everything in many different ways," Lynne Bauer, PTSA chairwoman for Educator of the Year, says.

Rogers Bartlett, who has taught at LGHS for 20 years, says she always tries to use different techniques with her students. Her position requires her to know a wide variety of subjects from math to history. She teaches approximately 30 students per day. Her students can drop in any time during the day for help with their studies.

She teaches many of her students for their entire four years at high school. Rogers Bartlett says she gets very emotional and choked up around graduation time because she has become so close to her students.

One of her students, Nathan Craven, a graduating senior, has nothing but praise for his teacher.

"She is the most valuable teacher I have ever had," Craven says. "Without her, I would have not made it through high school."

Craven says Rogers Bartlett is known as a second mom on campus and is always there when she is needed. He says he is thankful to his "second mom" for being patient with his Attention Deficit Disorder and for always supporting him.

The PTSA committee accepted nominations for Educator of the Year through the end of March. The committee looked for a teacher who goes above and beyond the classroom and is involved with the kids in other ways, Bauer says.

"It's a nice opportunity to be able to say to a teacher, 'We recognize you and want to do something for you,' " Bauer says.

A teachers luncheon was held in Rogers Bartlett's honor. Her name will also be inscribed on the perpetual plaque in the school's main office.

In addition, she will receive $1,000 to use for classroom and teaching enhancement. Bauer says the money is for teachers to buy something they've always wanted for their classroom but could never afford. Rogers Bartlett says she plans to buy some computer software for her class.

The $1,000 usually comes from the PTSA general fund but, for this year and the next four years, is being donated by an anonymous couple.

Rogers Bartlett, who says she is constantly amazed by her students, remarked on the award, "This is a great honor, and I am delighted to be honored for something I enjoy doing."

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