Meet Our Volunteers -- Mary Jane!

What brought you to the Old Davie School Historical Museum?

My Father's family homesteaded a farm in Alachua, Florida. They are original "Florida Crackers". Since childhood, Florida history has always been extremely interesting to me.

Appropriately, I consider the book, "A Land Remembered" by Patrick Smith, as my favorite book!

Although we continued to visit the farm, my Father had to move our family to Miami for a particular job.

However, my Father loved Davie.  I think the farming, orange groves and animals reminded him of his home.  Every Sunday we used to drive to the Orange Groves of Davie.   Occasionally, we would ride our horses to the Davie area and camp out.  Our overnight rides included going to the "Hitching Post" restaurant!  I also loved Davie.

In 1981, to be near my new job, my husband and I moved our family to Cooper City, then in 2002, we moved to Davie.  Three years ago, after teaching for 35 years, I retired.

I was excited to discover the volunteer teaching opportunity at ODSHM!

Now, I am able to teach what I love, in a town I have loved my whole life!

What’s your background and other interests?

I taught at a high school in Dade County for a few years but spent the majority of my teaching career at Pioneer Middle School in Cooper City.

I received my Associate's Degree in Education from Florida International University.  I have a Master's Degree in Computer Science and an Educational Specialist's Degree in Media from Nova University.

During the course of my career, I taught Physical Education, Computer Programming and Computer Applications. I was also a Media Specialist for a number of years and I coached many different sports. Additional responsibilities I had for years included being the Technology Coordinator and the New Educator Coordinator.

Today, besides volunteering at ODSHM, I help with my four grandchildren, travel, exercise, cook, play golf, and enjoy life!

What’s your favorite part of volunteering?

Being able to enjoy teaching without having to grade papers, or test the students.

Do you have a favorite memory of volunteering?

I have a very recent memory that just makes me laugh!

I was talking to a group about student discipline in the early days of ODSHM. I explained that if students didn't behave properly, their punishment could include "spanking".  I noticed perplexed looks on the students' faces.  One student raised his little hand and said "what does spanking mean?"  His question is such a reminder to me of how much things have changed!

THANK YOU MARY JANE FOR ALL YOU DO!