November 15, 2018
By: Bill Conger
After 31 years of teaching, Janet England has retired from DeKalb West School.
England started this school year as usual with plans to work through the year, but something just didn’t feel right. She turned in her retirement papers and left by the end of August. It was a bitter sweet time because her father, Neil Dudney, who has since passed away, was sick in the hospital. Instead of taking care of students, she was then taking care of her daddy.
“I was so very thankful and blessed, I was able to retire when I did and be where I needed to be for my parents,” England said.
Overall, though, Mrs. Janet says being retired feels “wonderful.”
“I have not missed hearing an alarm clock. I have enjoyed not having a set daily schedule to follow. It has been really nice so far. It’s still exciting! I have missed seeing friends at school and the interactions with the student on a daily basis.”
A 1983 graduate of D.C.H.S., England attended David Lipscomb College and graduated from Tennessee Tech in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education (grades 1-8). Her tenure with DeKalb West started in September of ’87. She taught Chapter/Title 1 for three years, 4th grade for nine years, 8th grade for three years, 6th grade for 11 years, and RTI for the last five years of her education career.
“In the past I have taught all subjects, but my favorites are math and social studies,” says England.
She served as yearbook advisor for five years, cheerleading coach for one year, FCA sponsor for two years, the 21st Century After School Program for six years and served on various school committees.
Born in Rockwood, TN with her twin sister, Susan, Mrs. Janet lived most of her life in Smithville. Married to her high school sweetheart, Brian England, the couple has a daughter, Laura, who is an Optometrist in Lawton, OK.
“She was a dedicated teacher, wonderful friend, and good advice giver,” says Lori Pryor. “We taught fourth grade together several years ago and discovered we are a lot alike, and after riding to school together for years we discovered our daughters are a lot alike too.”
“She was not only my teaching partner but also my mentor, and she very quickly became my close friend” says Jenny Cantrell, who at one point taught 6th grade with Mrs. Janet. “She had to answer hundreds of my questions; yet, she did without complaining. She claimed that she was training me to take care of her someday just like Ms. Pat Allen had done for her. We had a lot of fun together, probably too much, which probably led to us being separated! She was the most organized person in existence. I was not that person, so I was happy to let her interpret data, make suggestions, and give advice, and in return, I would decorate our classroom doors and talk her into trying new things. I hope Ms. Janet’s retirement will be an adventure of a lifetime because she deserves it.”
England plans to hit the road quite often.
“My plans are to travel whenever I get a chance,” says England. “I have already been to the beach and to Oklahoma to visit my daughter and family [grandson, Charles]. We are planning on returning to Oklahoma as much as we can. We are planning a trip to New Orleans in the near future. We will probably be heading back to our beach house whenever we are able. I have several projects/hobbies that I have planned to do around the house and for family. Who knows what I will get myself into in the future, the possibilities are endless!”