Articles by: Compass
Farewell to Francie Jacober
By Bob Ward Francie Jacober solves algebra problems for fun. In her spare time. The 7th-8th-grade teacher states it factually, with perhaps a hint of a smile. It’s just who she is, part of her “passion for math.” Her Carbondale Community School colleagues, however, see it as a reflection of her hard-working, almost superhuman personality. Teachers or not, most of them steer clear of math problems on their weekends. “She seeks out hard work,” said […]
Celebrating a Compass icon: Chris Faison
Written by Bob Ward Chris Faison was unique among people, a singularly open, generous soul who always left a joyful glow in his wake. The longtime 1-2 teacher at the Aspen Community School was endlessly curious and intrigued by everything and everyone around him. Whoever you were, whatever you did, Chris wanted to know more, and he cared. These qualities — along with his rosy cheeks, wool sweaters and smiling face — made him […]
Colleagues Remember Annie Teague
written by Bob Ward, For years, the Aspen Community School’s longtime kindergarten teacher Annie Teague had made sounds about retirement, but for reasons nobody completely understood, she just kept teaching. Until the fall day, that is, when she announced to Principal Jim Gilchrist that she needed to take an extended leave for health reasons. We now know that Annie was tending to herself and bracing for a fight against cancer. For the next four-plus months […]
Compass News: Our All School Meetings
A formidable figure dressed in weathered chaps, a cowboy hat, and carrying a toy horse saunters into the Aspen Community School common area to the unsuppressed giggles of students, parents and teachers. He somehow manages to hard-face the joyful crowd as he begins to lay out a compelling argument in a distinctive drawl for students and their families to join the Compass Community at the 6th annual Hoedown in just a few weeks. Cowboy […]