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My Story
When I began my career teaching at St Francis
DeSales, we had just 5 periods each day, and handwritten
report cards.The art classes were so small that I would have to
go into the study hall and recruit students to take my classes.
That all changed when the State of Ohio passed legislation
requiring at least one credit of art in order to graduate from
high school.After that the Art Department blossomed. It was
as if overnight the classes filled up completely. Soon, more
periods were added to the day, more classes and new courses
added to the roster, more teachers were hired, and eventually
more classrooms built. Now, I end my career teaching in an
art wing, on a 9 period day, using a computer for grading and
an iPad to take attendance. It has been a real pleasure to work
for two principals, who both have supported the arts and have
encouraged theVisual Art Department to grow.
My story started inWesterville. It wasn't until my
senior year in high school that I took my very first art class at
Westerville South. Looking at graduation around the corner
and searching for what I wanted to do, I found the answer
right in front of me. I was sitting in the art room one day,
watching my teacher, and I just had this idea, "I want to be
an Art teacher!" It looked like so much fun (and it is). After
I graduated high school in 1976, I enrolled inThe Ohio State
University’s Art Education program. I graduated in December
of 1979 with a BA inVisual Art Education.
I was working quite a few jobs throughout college
and afterwards, and very nearly would've been doing
something else with my life if it hadn't been for the timely
response from St Francis DeSales High School. It was Friday,
October 31,1980 when I met Sister Marion McCrea, the
Art Department Chair at SFDHS, for the first time. She
interviewed me at school, during lunch, in the teacher's
lounge. I was dressed up professionally for the interview, but
the rest of the school, students and faculty alike, were dressed
up in full Halloween costumes. Sister Marion McCrea was
wearing all black with white bone decals, her face painted
like a skull, and she had these skeletal teeth across her lips
that moved with her every word. It was all I could do to keep
my attention on her eyes and her rather serious interview
questions. She seemed to like me because shortly afterwards I
was hired in as a three month substitute art teacher.
Immediately, I was pulled into the family.Alongside
an English teacher, we took the very first bus load of DeSales
students up to Clearfork for the newly instituted Ski Club.
DeSales has always had a very active community, and I have
always enjoyed being a part of it. By the start of the next school
year, I had signed my first full-time teaching contract and I
have been here ever since. In the beginning, in addition to
teaching art, I was also asked to take over theYearbook Club.
This quickly became its own type of art class.After a couple
of years of the “club,” Principal Pat Rossetti agreed to have an
actual Photo Journalism class. Ms.Wiemels and I team taught
this class. For the next 17 years, the Photo Journalism class
put out the annual yearbook.Throughout my 32 years, I have
also served on COACE, the Faculty Advisory Board, and as
theVisual Art Department chair.When I was asked: "What is
your favorite subject to teach?" I realized then that it wasn't
the subject that I enjoyed, but the people. I can remember a
Faculty Focus - Judy Ross
student in every class that made me
smile and laugh. It is these moments
that I cherish and it makes everything
worthwhile and fulfilling.That is not to
say I haven't enjoyed some classes too.
I think my favorite classes have been
Art Fundamentals, Drawing, Painting,
Sculpture,Art Appreciation, Photo
Journalism, and Jewelry. I love seeing
all the creativity come to life.
My students have taught me
so much about how to laugh at myself,
the importance of empathy, and how
to have patience. I have especially
enjoyed having both of my children,
Adam and Stephanie Keller, in my
classes and watching them graduate
from DeSales.Their friends would call
me “Mommy Ross” during those years.
And, oh yes, I will always remember
the pans of brownies I have baked
through the years for my classes. I
think I have kept Betty Crocker afloat
during this recession.
This will be my last year
teaching at St Francis DeSales High
School. I will miss many of my
“teacher” friends, including my mentor
from over the years, Mr. Jeff Stevens.
Jeff has been my friend, advisor, and
golf partner. He has saved me from
many a technological crisis. I will miss
stopping in to see him in his office,
the occasional walk around the track
field and the sound of his voice as he
once again explains the computerized
report card procedures to me.As the
school gets more technology, I knew it
was time for me to find the next part
of my journey.
I will look forward to having
more time to do my own artwork.
I already have so many designs for
jewelry and ideas for paintings. I can’t
wait to get started. I want to spend
more time with family, I would like to be a better cook, and I
would like to grow roses in my yard. New opportunities await,
but I will never forget all the people that made me feel at home
here. I will always be part of the DeSales family.As I begin this
next adventure in my life, I would like to leave all my students
with some thoughts that have helped me. “Stay on the straight
path, be smart about your decisions, including what you choose to
speak, and always do the right thing, pray the Hail Mary, and keep
doodling."
Love your friend and teacher,
Mrs. Judy Ross
4 Volume 9, Issue 1
Pictured (top to bottom): Judy Ross; Bob Lennon and Judy on the slopes;
Judy with her husband, Steve, and children Adam ’05 and Stephanie ’08.