Nominated by: Tina Erazmus

Jane Sasaki, a first grade community teacher at Armatage, is an Armatage Treasure.

"In September....a bud Mid term...a bloom Now....a lovely blossom Comes home to you in June   Remember this flower As dear as can be, Though rightfully yours.... Part....belongs to me!

This sentiment comes home at the end of year along with a child that has grown with Jane's nuturing,passion for teaching and,a love for all children. She has made many contributions through her magic of teaching. She intstills a love of learning to the children, to the betterment of our community.

Jane has been teaching for 45 years! She has been gracing Minnesota classrooms for 37 years, her eighth and final year here at Armatage Community School. In 2007 she was a finalist for the prestigious Minnesota Teacher of the Year! She has dedicated her life to our community's most presious resourse, our children.

With her hushed voice and gentle manner, Jane commands a quiet strength. In her classroom, her students learn life lessons. Some of these include: respect for themselves and others, to be responsible members of a community and to be mindful not to wrinkle anyones heart.

At the core of her teaching is her passion to develop strong readers. Reading, she says, opens up the world to our children. Thank you Jane for holding that door open!

It is not uncommon to drive by the school at night and see her classroom light aglow. "I have a suspicion the she has a cot in her classroom and sleeps in the building," says parent Peggy Rasmussen. This speaks to her unwavering dedication to the children and their community.

As in the literature that she loves to read and teach, a chapter has ended and another will begin. Jane is retiring at the end of this school year. She is literally, heading off into the sunset and will be moving out west to the coast. While all families will miss her dearly, we also wish her the very best and our heartfelt gratitude. She will stand alone, a true classic. A true Armatage Treasure!