Jane Stephens began her association with Canyon High School in 1961 when she began her student observation classes as an education major at West Texas State College. This was the first year Canyon High spent on the previous campus. She did her student teaching 1963 with Mrs. Lillian Graham she fondly remembers her student teaching as an amazing opportunity to sit at the feet of a Master Teacher.

 

Teaching experience at Canyon High School includes two years in the late 1960 s and eight years from 1976 to 1984. She taught Social Studies classes, mostly Economics, and French. During those years she cosponsored Future Teachers of America she also spent several years as the cheerleader sponsor. She served as Social Studies Department Chairman and as President of the Randall County Unit of Texas States Teachers Association. She also attended West Texas State University and received a Master"s degree and certification in Counseling.

 

In 1984 she took the position of counselor at Canyon High School. She served in that position for three years, helping to move CHS from hand generated scheduling to computer generated scheduling. In 1987, she became Director of Secondary Curriculum for Canyon ISD. During that period puttered related fields. She served in that position until 1992 when she was named Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. From 1992 to 1999, Mrs. Stephens assisted in building strong curricular programs and adding Westover Park Intermediate School and Crestview Elementary School to the district. She is especially proud of the advancements CISD made in Technology and in Campus Improvement Planning.

 

Jane retired in June, 2000. She is currently active in the First Presbyterian Church, serving as ruling Elder. She also works for the Education Department of WTAMU supervising administrative interns and for the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum as a curriculum consultant. She is a founding member of the Education Foundations of CISD, a member of the board of the Canyon Boys and Girls Club and of the Opportunity School.

 

Her family includes: Her husband, Dr. J. Pat Stephens, her daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Robert Stubbs and their two children Xander and Mayabella and son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Robert and Heather Gumbert Stephens.