At the end of Cleveland High School’s Senior Recognition Assembly – on Tuesday, May 21st – most of the school’s students were dismissed, and only the class of 2024 remained in the auditorium when Jan Watt walked up to the microphone and surprised the seniors with this announcement: “I am going to graduate with you.”
The news stunned the seniors. She told the group that after a year full of wonderful memories, she had made the difficult decision to retire after a record-setting 56 years – not because of illness or burnout, but because she thought that the time had come to let go of her beloved school, and begin a new chapter in her life.
Initially Watt was hired in 1968 as a journalism teacher and adviser; but for the following 34 years she also taught U.S. History, economics, Senior Seminar – and was Yearbook Advisor. In 1972 when girls’ sports finally became sanctioned, she coached Cleveland’s first girls’ basketball team for five years.
Watt’s “first retirement” came back in 2002, when Oregon’s retirement formula changed and veteran teachers were encouraged to retire. But that didn’t last long for Watt.
That same year, CHS Principal Bruce Plato was wooed away to serve as a Principal in Lake Oswego. Concerned that, with Watt’s retirement, the school would lose her valuable institutional knowledge which would be of benefit to the next CHS Principal, before leaving Plato urged Portland Public Schools to keep her on as CHS Special Projects Coordinator – which a Portland Interscholastic League writer recently described as “a position with a job description that might as well have read simply, ‘Whatever needs doing’.” (She was given a PIL Merit Award in 2016.) So she then worked at Cleveland for two more decades!
Over the years, Watt was known and loved for her salty speech and undying support of students – especially those who were personally and academically challenged.
At a gathering at Sckovone’s Restaurant on S.E. 41st and Division Street this June 17th, seventy current and former faculty members and students gathered to celebrate Watt’s 56 years of dedication to Cleveland.
The small restaurant was rocked with waves of laughter as she and staff members shared stories about particularly poignant and quintessentially Watt-like moments in her career.
One staff member joked that Watt was an “ultimate Alpha”, inspired to do what Alphas are known for: Being confident, capable, and assertive.
Story after story was shared about how Watt’s support got them through tough times, and inspired them to be their “better selves”. She challenged them in their behavior, attendance, academic achievement, extracurricular activities, athletics, and contributions through community service.
In an email she told THE BEE: “I have seen, year after year, students rise to meet expectations. They need direction, they need to determine their goals. Wandering aimlessly, with little to no accountability, undermines the worth that all kids possess.
“There is nothing better than watching kids who are happy, joyful, and proud – and this year has been one where I have seen that a lot.”
Watt’s continuity, commitment, and deep caring for Cleveland will be missed and remembered for many years to come. In what is this time her “genuine retirement”, she plans to visit with friends, rest, and volunteer for community service – as well as write, continue to inspire those around her, and explore new vistas through travel.
To read more about Jan, go online – https://tinyurl.com/JanWatt
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