Jackie Reineke (Weatherspoon)

THEN:		RECENT:

	"Jackie" Class President Some think the world was made for fun und frolic, so do I. French Club 4 Honor Society 2,3, 4 Letter Club 2, 3,4 Basketball 1,2,3,4 Student Council 3, 4 Band 1, 2 Chorus I, 2, 3,4 Play 3 Goal: To complete 4 years of college.

2007 - 45th Reunion:

FAMILY INFORMATION:

There have been many changes in my life since our last reunion. Five years ago my husband and I lived in Lincoln, Nebraska. I was advising and teaching elementary education students at the University of Nebraska. Bob was teaching at the university and working as a program evaluator for the Lincoln Public Schools. We had just discovered the joy of being grandparents with the arrival of our first two grandbabies.

Now, we live in Johnston not far from where I grew up. Bob and I are both retired. Bob is a stroke survivor and I am his caregiver. We are both doing very well. We moved to Iowa to be closer to our children and grandchildren and enjoy our time with them. Our grandchildren population has now grown to six, ages six and under. Our oldest grandchildren, Stella and Aidan, started kindergarten this year. Luke is 3 and is in preschool. Liam is 2 and Grandma and Grandpa enjoy having him at our house one day a week. Liam is the big brother to identical twin sisters, Avery and Evelyn, who were born in August 2006.

WHATEVER YOU WANT TO SHARE ABOUT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR LIFE:

Some things have stayed the same. My mother continues to be in good health and lives in a retirement community in Ames. Our wonderful companion, Sadie, a 12 year old yellow lab, still gets me out of bed early in the morning to go walking.

In addition to enjoying and caring for family, I find time to work on my family genealogy and have taken several Spanish classes at the Pappajohn Senior College in Des Moines. Habla espanol, amigos?

WAS THERE SOMETHING AT JOHNSTON THAT INSPIRED YOU OR CHANGED YOU AND THUS BECAME PART OF YOUR DAILY LIFE?

I have always been grateful for the quality education I received in the Johnston Schools. After high school graduation, I studied at the University of Denver. Most of my classmates were from larger cities on the east and west coasts. I discovered that my small town, small school academic preparation was at least equal to that of my colleagues. I am also thankful for the many friends I made as we progressed from kindergarten to high school and even though life's paths have taken us in different directions, we have stayed in touch.

2002 - 40th Reunion:

Family Information

Husband : Robert Reineke

Program Evaluation Specialist for the Lincoln Public Schools

Consultant on Assessment in Education

Daughters: Jennie Reynoldson

Son-in-law Jamin

Granddaughter Stella (15 months old)

Joanna Anderson

Son-in-law Brian

Grandson Aidan (18 months old)

Work/Retirement History

Taught 5th or 6th grade for eleven years in the Southeast Polk or Ames, Iowa school districts.

School administrator for eleven years in the Ames or Ankeny, Iowa school districts.

Currently an academic advisor for elementary education students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and teach a class at this university on how to teach social studies in the elementary school. This fall I will begin my seventh year in this position. I have also taught classes on the middle school and classroom management for Doane College.

I have no retirement history, but am starting to think about a retirement future.

1997 - 35th Reunion:

Greetings to my classmates on the celebration of our 35th reunion. I am uncertain at this time if I will be able to attend the festivities, but will be thinking of you as you share music and memories in the country and share losses and gains at the track.

I have remarried and am living in Lincoln, Nebraska. I didn't know anyone lived in Nebraska. I always thought it was a state people traveled through on their way to Colorado and points beyond. Actually, Lincoln is a fine place to live. It is midwest friendly, the University brings some diversity and culture, and the climate is milder than Iowa's. My husband and I hold down a lot of part-time jobs. I work nine months of the year at the University advising students majoring in elementary education. I am also teaching an undergraduate class entitled "Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School". During the summer I teach a graduate class for Doane College, a small private institution. This leaves some time during the summer for relaxing, which includeds reading, traveling, and playing golf. My husband, Bob Reineke, works half-time for the Lincoln Public Schools evaluating educational programs. He has spent most other hours the past two years writing a book on classroom assessment. It is almost finished and will be published this summer or fall. Bob also works as an Adjunct Professor for the University, teaching classes in assessment, measurement, evaluation, and statistics.

My oldest daughter, Jennie, graduates in May, 1997 from Loyola Law School in Chicago. Hopefully, by the time you read this she will be employed. My younger daughter, Joanna, graduated in December 1996 from Iowa State University. She is engaged and will be married Thanksiving weekend. Hopefully, by the time you read this she will also be employed. I gained two wonderful children when I remarried; Lindsay is a freshman experiencing life in the dorms here at the University and Blaise is a sophomore in high school. I must admit I am envious of those of you who have grandchildren. I wait patiently. Our only "baby" happens to be an overweight 85 pound lab puppy.

I am finding the age of 53 brings some disadvantages, such as aches, pains, and a fading memory, but it also brings the advantage of being able to relect with some wisdom on the years past. I think of our class often and admire how we have stayed pretty much intact, due to the efforts of Nancy Pontious, Bill Winters, John Theisen, and others on the committee. The reunions have served to unite our class. My thanks to all of you.

Sending my best wishes,

(s) Jackie

Return to