Although she was missed by students and staff last year due to her retirement, Dr. Janine Steffen’s absence from Hampshire High School became even more pronounced after her passing this summer.
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“Doc” Steffen retired from Community Unit School District 300 on June 27, 2014. She died at age 60 on July 10, 2015. She leaves behind her husband, Jon; their daughters, Elizabeth and Emily, and her siblings Edward (Donna) Sawicki and Barbara (Doug) Neufeld.
She worked for the district for 32 years.
According to the district, she was as an English teacher at Harry D. Jacobs High School in Algonquin from 1977 to June, 1989.
She started working in Hampshire when Hampshire High School and Hampshire Middle School were still under the same roof along State Street.
In 2008, a brand new high school opened along Big Timber Road. The State Street facility is now used strictly as a middle school.
Janine Steffen was a Hampshire Middle/High School English teacher from 1990 to 2005, Hampshire Middle/High School assistant principal from 2005 to 2007, Hampshire High assistant principal from 2007 to 2011, and Hampshire High associate principal from 2011 to 2014.
She helped start the annual Hampshire High car show in 2013 in coordination with Operation Click as a way to promote safe driving for teenagers.
She was an adjunct professor at Aurora University, Concordia University Chicago and Webster University.
Jon Steffen said his wife was born in 1955 in Dunstable, England. Her parents, Casimir and Genowefa, were from Poland. They met while they were in a refugee camp in England around the time of World War II.
Janine lived in England for the first three years of her life before she came with her family to America, he said. They first lived in Michigan before they moved to the Chicago area.
Janine and her husband both graduated from Elgin High School.
“We were proud Maroons,” Jon said.
Janine continued her education by earning a Bachelor of Science in Education at Illinois State University with a minor in dance; a Master of Education in Educational Leadership at Aurora University, and a Doctorate in Education, Curriculum, Instruction and Educational Psychology from Loyola University.
Jim Wallis worked at Hampshire High and Hampshire Middle schools for 19 years.
“I had the privilege of hiring Janine as the assistant principal at Hampshire High/Hampshire Middle during my first year as principal,” Wallis said. “I knew the most important priority for Janine would be what was best for the students. That never changed in the years I worked directly with her as an administrator. Janine was an outstanding educator because she truly cared about the students.”
Wallis said his son was once a student in her Language Arts class.
“I remember my son’s first writing assignment in her class,” Wallis said. “It had so many markings and corrections that it was obvious how much time Janine had spent grading it, although the time she spent wasn’t what surprised me. She had written at the top of the paper that he could rewrite the paper and receive a better grade. I asked her if she did this with all of her students, and she replied yes. My son really improved his writing skills that year. I will always remember Janine as the teacher willing to go the extra mile.”
“I knew Janine for over 13 years,” said Hampshire High mathematics teacher Susan Ellett. “We were all very saddened at her sudden passing this summer. She was proud of her doctorate degree as was I. Every morning, I greeted her with: ‘Good morning, Doc.’ She smiled and would immediately turn the conversation to focus on me. She would ask about my daughters, husband, classes, basketball team and golf team. She was the epitome of success through hard work.”
“Doc Steffen’s office door was always open,” Ellett added. “She helped the students and staff whenever she could. I hear many fans from other schools at football and basketball games chanting: What’s a Whippur (our school mascot)? Well, a Whippur is a person who constantly strives to reach the top of the mountain, i.e. Janine Steffen.”
“For 10 years, Dr. Steffen was one of my administrators at Hampshire High,” said Hampshire High English teacher John Sieker. “Along with Principal Wallis, she taught me some very important aspects of teaching. She saw something in me that others did not. I cannot express how fortunate I have been to have had a boss who, before becoming assistant principal, did my job for many years and yet was not at all dictatorial, condescending or dismissive. On the contrary, she gave me freedom to explore my own teaching, unwavering support, encouragement, and, most importantly, time.”
“Dr. Steffen was a person that I will always hold dear to my heart,” said Hampshire High English teacher Britany Goodman. “She was one of the smartest and kindest persons I have ever known.”
“Dr. Steffen was constantly working,” Goodman said. “She arrived at school prior to most staff and was there late into the night. She did tasks that went beyond her job description. She was a person who truly put students first. She sought out opportunities to spotlight students in their academic achievements.”
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“She was all about the students,” said Karen Bryson, secretary to the Hampshire High principal. “She understood that she was the one working for the students, providing great service to them, and always making herself available and approachable.”
“I am so lucky to have had Dr. Steffen in my life,” said Hampshire High Spanish teacher Kris Nilsen. She was a creative and caring colleague and became an encouraging and supportive instructional leader and mentor. We also grew to be dear friends.”
“She was a multi-dimensional educator,” Nilsen said. “During her time in District 300, she directed and choreographed a number of student productions. She also worked with the school community in their efforts to host post-prom events and student assemblies. She genuinely cared about the students, staff and families at Hampshire High. She worked hard to maintain a positive school community.”
“Janine Steffen was a consummate professional and classy woman. I always knew she had my back,” said Hampshire High band teacher Helen Lawrence. “She was an advocate for the arts. She was always willing to help out with the Hampshire High musicals. She choreographed one of the most iconic musicals that Hampshire High ever produced, which was ‘The King and I.'”
“Janine was constantly on the go,” Lawrence added. “She was a fantastic example of how to be a successful working mom. After a long day at school, she would pack up her girls and take them to lessons, workouts, and dance classes. I am so grateful to Jon, Emily and Liz for allowing me the opportunity to be with her during the last few weeks of her life. She even taught me how to die gracefully. I miss her so.”
Denise Moran is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.