Central Dewitt Hall of Fame Induction Class 2016

Central Dewitt Hall of Fame Induction Class 2016

Jeannie Dean graduated from Central in 1971. She earned a Music & Music Education degree in 1975 and MA in 1982 while studying voice in New York City. She returned home in 1985 and led our vocal music department for 28 years. Her choirs consistently earned Division 1 (Superior) and Division II (Excellent) ratings. Our Chamber Singers and live National Anthem performances at events were second to none. Mrs. Dean was incredibly supportive of our students in all of their activities and has remained active in our community through music at the St. Joseph’s Church, Ol’ Majestic Players and Central Performing Arts Center committee.

For Jeannie Larsen Dean, her vocation and avocation were one in the same. The vocal music teacher, who retired from the Central De. Witt Community School District in 2013 after 28 years, felt being able to work in the field of music – and with kids – was the best of both worlds. Dean’s love for her work showed, said friend accompanist Joyce Fletcher. “It was fun working with her, ” Fletcher said. “The kids liked her, and she liked the kids. For a teacher, that makes all the difference in the world. ” Born and raised in De. Witt, Dean had a love of music that took her as far as the East Coast before she returned to her hometown to share her gift and appreciation for the arts with young people. After graduating from Central De. Witt Community High School in 1971, Dean attended Clarke College in Dubuque. In 1975, she earned a bachelor’s degree in music and music education and accepted her first teaching assignment at Western Dubuque High School in Epworth. In 1977, Dean moved to New York City to study and teach vocal music and drama at private schools in Manhattan for seven years. In 1982, she earned a master’s in music education from Columbia University’s Teachers College. Three years later, she was back in De. Witt and began an almost three-decades-long career that included teaching at Grand Mound,

Welton, and Ekstrand elementary buildings. In the fall of 1996, Dean took over as vocal director at the high school. As director of vocal activities, she prepared students for concerts, local and state contests, national anthem performances, variety shows, musicals, and numerous community performances. Dean was also involved both on and off stage in several community theater productions undertaken by the Ol’ Majestic Players. ‘Feeling like Maria’ One of the highlights of her career at Central De. Witt was being able to see – and hear – her students perform at the Central De. Witt Performing Arts Center. I remember walking into the new auditorium space and feeling like Maria in ‘The Sound of Music’ when she twirls around in joy on the hilltop, ” Dean said. “I remember hearing the Chamber Singers sing in there for the first time. It brought tears to my eyes because I never thought such a performance space as the students deserved would be a reality. ” Dean always had her students’ best interest at heart, and former coworker and friend, Josh Greubel, director of high school bands, said she embodies all the qualities of a member of the Hall of Fame as well as a Central De. Witt Saber.

“She lived to serve her students, ” Greubel noted. “She was always singing – her passion for music is second to none. She is so proud of our facilities here at Central De. Witt, and was always willing to give of herself. “She was a fantastic teacher, dedicating her life to working with kids and as a Central grad. Jeannie not only cared about her students and her school, she cared for all. I called her ‘Ma’ because she looked out for the staff, and as my own kids grew, she acted as a surrogate grandmother. ” Dean credits the community members and staff she was fortunate enough to work with over the years, including her “other half” and “soul mate, ” former Central De. Witt Community High School teacher Tom Dean. “He shared my passion for the performing arts, ” she said. “I did learn that, even though I enjoyed performing myself, I received much greater pleasure encouraging individuals and ensembles to grow musically, expressing themselves, and communicating with others. ”

Inducted for Outstanding Contributions as a Sponsor Jeannie Dean was born and raised in De. Witt, graduating from Central in 1971. She would return to her hometown as a professional and make a tremendous impact on our fine arts programs as a vocal music teacher for 28 years. Jeannie left town to attend Clarke College earning her BA in Music & Music Education in 1975. She was hired by Western Dubuque school district but left in 1977 to study voice in New York City. While there, she taught vocal music and drama at a private school in Manhattan. In 1982 she earned her MA in Music Education from Columbia University’s Teachers College. Returning home with Tom and daughters Melissa and Katie, she started her career as a music instructor at Ekstrand, Grand Mound and Welton schools in 1985. Shortly after that time, son Matt arrived. In 1996 she would take over duties as the vocal music director at Central HS. Classroom duties included preparing students for concerts, local & state contest, variety shows, musicals and numerous community performances. Her passion for music helped her build a tremendously talented and competitive program. Her choirs consistently earned Division 1 (Superior) and Division II (Excellent) ratings. Individuals also excelled, such as Fletcher Paulsen who was selected All-State 3 years in a row. Jeannie spent a great deal of time developing our Chamber Singers. Their holiday performances were second to none. She made it a priority to develop live National

Anthem singers, and over the years we have continued to be one of the few schools that still feature those live performances at events. One of my highlights as a wrestling coach was to have a men’s quintet sing the Anthem at the State Wrestling tournament in 2001. A women’s sextet sang at Boys State Basketball in 2012. Over the years she has enjoyed music as a life-long communication skill. She had a gift of building relationships and mutual respect with her students, which was strengthened by the time she spent supporting them outside the classroom regularly attending school events to cheer them on. Her greatest joy was helping students develop their talents and grow self-confidence. Jeannie enjoyed the “process” to create the best product she could and she was extremely good at it. She has had former students such as Kerri & Michelle Doom, Rachel & Phil Vickers, Alex Heetland Fletcher Paulsen who have all become professionals in vocal fields. She has also remained very active in our community in music ministry at St. Joseph’s Church for 30 years and onstage and offstage participation with the Ol’ Majestic Players. She served on the Central Performing Arts Center committee and was very supportive of our community efforts to build our new auditorium, and she was very thankful to get a chance for her choirs to perform there. One of her great highlights was getting to sing onstage with Simon Estes. Please help me welcome the newest member of the Central De. Witt High School Hall of Fame, 2016 inductee… Jeannie Dean.