Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

09/23/04

NEWS RELEASE
Rainier Middle School Language Arts/Social Studies Teacher
to be Recognized by Auburn School Board of Directors

On Monday, September 27, the Auburn School District board of directors will recognize Jana Thomas, Rainier Middle School language arts and social studies teacher, for her excellence as a teacher.  After graduating from Enumclaw High School, Ms. Thomas attended Washington State University to earn a degree in elementary education with an emphasis in reading.  Her first teaching job was at Chinook Elementary working for Principal Tom Jacka.  After a year, she transferred to Lake View Elementary where she taught third, fifth, and sixth grades over an eight-year span.  Her Lake View principal, Bud Kuhlman, was hired as the new principal of the new Rainier Junior High School.  Ms. Thomas was immediately selected to be one of his staff that opened the new junior school in 1991.  She taught seventh and eighth grade language arts, social studies, and reading.  Thirteen years later, she has no intention of moving to another school.  “Rainier Middle School is a special place because of the great community support,” said Ms. Thomas.  “Also, I like the students and value learning.  The students seem to realize that,” said Ms. Thomas.  Ms. Thomas loves to laugh and her students respond to her enjoyment of teaching them. “I love this age of students – they are very easy to be with.”  As well as teaching, Ms. Thomas has coached girls’ volleyball for all 21 years.  In 1996, Ms. Thomas earned her masters in administration and curriculum from Gonzaga University.  Her interests include swimming, fly-fishing, traveling, cooking and sailing.

For more information, contact Superintendent Linda Cowan at (253) 931-4914.