Words from Former Students

Janet’s students went on to work for a variety of news outlets, media companies and even teach themselves. Read their memories of their time on The Correspondent.

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Jamie Anderluh
Janet is the most honest, brave, and giving teacher I have ever had. I'm grateful to her for so many things, but the one that sticks out to me most years later is the way she created a space where I felt empowered, seen, and encouraged to grow. Her commitment to real, uncensored journalism – just like her commitment to her students – is one to be celebrated. She isn't afraid to stand up for what she loves and what she believes is right, and, in doing so, she has continued to shape my life.

Tegan Ferraresi
Janet is so much more than just greatest teacher I’ve ever had—she’s a mentor, a cheerleader, and a friend. What I learned from her evolved with me from a high school journalist into adulthood, and in everything I do. From her I learned the power of the pen (and keyboard). I learned that we are responsible for being witnesses to the world around us and keeping record of all of it. Our words form the stories of our lives, and it’s our duty to preserve it, good and bad. From her I learned to always ask questions. As a news writer, she always encouraged us to dig deeper. Challenging and investigating was encouraged if all that took was asking someone “why?” From her I learned that everyone has something valuable to share. Seeking out new people and looking for new perspectives will lead you to discover value in places you’d never known. Janet taught me with the knowledge and skills to excel as a high school journalist, but what she actually equipped me with will stay with me forever.

Andrea Perkins
Janet Levin (Ms. Levin) approached the classroom, and I imagine every space in her life, with a steadfast sense of what is right and a strong belief in youth. She was unwavering in these two principles and as a result, her classroom was conducted like none other. Throughout my high school years, her classroom became a refuge for me and I imagine many others. I realized quickly that Ms. Levin’s classroom was a place to make mistakes, engage curiously with the world, and be treated fairly while doing so. Janet Levin trusted and believed in her students. Through her confidence in us, we found our voices and dedicated them to producing interviews and articles for the Correspondent. When school administrators criticized our content, there was Ms. Levin, reinforcing our voices and defending our right to speak the truth. Not only did she encourage my voice, she ensured it would be heard.

David Teeghman

Oh Janet just Janet. 
How much less interesting would high school have been without The Correspondent?  Where would I be without you? I wouldn't have gone to journalism school, that's for sure. I wouldn't have started my own news organization in college or worked in professional newsrooms. I wouldn't have become a journalism teacher either and done a bad copy & paste job on your class to create a curriculum for my Digital Journalism classes. 

But nowhere did I consistently grow as much, learn as much, obsess as much, or feel pushed as much as I did in my four years in Room 118. 

And though I am no longer in the classroom or daily journalism, I still heed the lessons I began in Room 118 as I fight for social justice, racial justice, economic justice and environmental justice. 

I still think about how to wield facts and research in every argument. I still think about how I can help others, particularly young people, voice their hopes and frustrations with the world. I still think about how I can be a better leader and example for the next generation. I still think about how I can elevate and empower young people to take action and fight for a future that is worthy of them.

These were all lessons that started under your careful guidance in Room 118. Thank you for what you gave me and so many others who passed through your Journalism classes. 

I am, and we are, eternally grateful. 

Thank you.
Teeg

Megan Anderluh
Janet's journalism class and the Correspondent were a huge part of figuring out who I was in high school. The back room in Room 118, where much of the work on the paper got done and we worked late to meet deadlines, was a safe space, where all kinds of students worked together as a team to make something great: athletes, nerds, creatives, misfits, cool kids. I can't really think of another high school space like it, and to this day, people I worked with on the Correspondent are good friends.

So much of that has to do with Janet and the environment she created. She could be a tough critic, but only because she saw the unique potential of every student she worked with. Believing each of us capable of great journalism, a well-framed photograph, or efficient teamwork and project management, she gave her staff confidence, ignited passions, and taught skills that would stick with us for the rest of our lives. 

As attitudes toward the media have changed over the years and "fake news" has been causing chaos, perhaps what has stuck with me most from Janet's teaching is her commitment to seeking out the truth, using critical thinking to separate fact from fiction, and her commitment to freedom of speech. Repeatedly over my time at the Correspondent, there were times when the school administration asked for the ability to read the paper before it was published, something Janet adamantly refused. At the time, I don't think I quite realized how significant taking this stand was, but it's a lesson about freedom of expression and integrity that I now think about all the time. She asked us to engage with the news and bring back our findings to class each week, teaching self-absorbed teenagers to understand fact-finding, interviewing, editorializing, storytelling, and rooting out bias. If I'm at all an informed and media-savvy citizen today, I can give the majority of the credit to Janet.