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Teacher Jenny Rious receives a plaque from her students. Image: Dwaine Scott, NBC News
Everyone probably remembers that certain teacher from high school -- the one who was young, cool and bursting with new ideas. The one who wanted to make a difference and did.
Kids at New Orleans' Warren Easton High will one day remember Jenny Rious as that teacher, especially the class of 2006. I met her recently while producing a story about Warren Easton. But her story deserves telling all on its own.
You see, Mrs. Rious started with the class of 2006 four years ago. She taught them world history as freshmen and now is prepared to see "her kids" graduate as seniors. But then Katrina washed their senior year away -- that and most of the first floor of the school. In some classrooms, all that remained were the assignments written on the board the Friday before the storm.
Mrs. Rious evacuated to Michigan. Her kids were scattered across the country. And her school was in danger of never reopening. She couldn't do much about the storm or the building, but she could make sure her kids had a senior year.
So she reached out to them. She couldn't run them down in the hallways or catch them at their lockers. Instead she tracked them down online. In November of last year, she began warreneastoninexile.com.
Call it a virtual homeroom. Students who once passed notes in class, now posted them online. Kids who screamed down the hallway, now offered Internet shout-outs. And teens who once sought advice about school and life in Mrs. Rious' class, now asked them in e-mails.
Everyone had questions: "Would the school reopen? Would there be a yearbook? What would happen to graduation? Over time, Jenny Rious found the answers. Yes, the school would reopen next year, as a charter. Yes, they would have yearbooks filled with pictures from the previous school year. As for graduation? Well, with her seniors attending schools out-of-state, it probably wouldn't make sense for them to graduate twice. But from the postings, Mrs. Rious learned it was one thing for the kids to keep in touch online, but quite another to ask them to say goodbye forever on a blog. This became her toughest assignment.
It took months of lobbying online and on the phone. Finally a Warren Easton alumni group and other faculty members joined the cause. And so, a few Sundays ago, the Class of 2006 held a "10th" reunion. It had been 10 months since the storm blew away their senior year. Now many of them were back in New Orleans. And Mrs. Rious was there, handing out yearbooks, smiling for a class/faculty photo, and clapping as "her kids" walked the stage in a ceremonial graduation.
I pulled Mrs. Rious to the side. She was proud of her students. They had been able to reclaim a few magic moments from their lost senior year. Her job was over. And so it seemed was our story about Warren Easton.
But as the reunion broke up, a group of kids commandeered the microphone. Despite the fact that time, distance and a storm had kept them apart, they had still hatched a secret plan (probably online). Someone produced a modest plaque, while another group pulled Mrs. Rious to the stage to accept it. The class of 2006 had lost their homes, their friends and their senior year. Somehow, one teacher had given them hope. The small plaque was all they could give back. But it was enough for Mrs. Rious.
If she hadn't been certain before, she was now. She had made a difference.
Read more from NBC's Gulf Coast recovery files, Steve Majors
DID ANYONE TOUCH THE THERMOSTAT?
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Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451b0aa69e200d834d175a169e2
I am back at Warren Easton. I've been there since the ninth grade, I am class of "08". I had Ms. Rious as my World History teacher in the ninth grade. She was the best. I couldn't have asked for anyone better. She understood us more than some of the other teachers. I just want to show her my love and appreciation for what she has done for me. Much Love Ms. Rious.
Honorelle , New Orleans, LA. (Sent Mar 11, 2007 6:00:34 PM)
I'M A CURRENT STUDENT AT WARREN EASTON.I GRADUATE WITH THE CLASS OF 2009.I THINK IF WE RECIVE MORE DONATIONS FOR OUR SCHOOL START MANY MORE AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS TUTORING AND STUDY SESSIONS.I HAVE TO GIVE MS. RIOUS A BIG THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING SHE DONE FOR THE CLASS OF 06 BECAUSE BY BROTHER WAS IN THATT CLASS
TERRANCE J. NOLA (Sent Feb 25, 2007 11:15:06 AM)
I go to Warren Easton right now and i graduate in class of 09 and i would have to say that Warren Easton is doing a very good job in keeping things under control. Another thing that i waould have to say is that even thoung we are doing good we can be doing better. All we need is for someone to donate some moeny to our school so that we can have higher learning programs. Also i would like to say that Ms. Rious is one of my favorite teachers she actually tryes her best to help all that needs it. I love you Ms. Rious
(Sent Feb 24, 2007 2:05:52 PM)
I attended Warren Easton Last Year and I miss it so much. I'm now attending a school in Dallas, Texas. I miss all the teachers and the students. I wish I could come back but its not safe. I love Warren Easton Fundamental Senior High School
(Sent Sep 28, 2006 12:44:03 PM)
I am so glad that there are teachers like MRS Rious. It lets me know that the sprit of NOLA is alive! She and every last teacher at Easton deserve a pay raise, epsecialy if they had me for a student.
Alan F. Jackson, Class of '90
(Sent Sep 23, 2006 10:12:04 PM)
I don't know Ms. Rious but I thank her for all that she has done and all she will do for our Easton Eagles in the future. I am a member of the class of 1997 and can testify to the unique relationships all of our faculty, staff and administration have with each and every student enrolled in our school. Easton has been there for me for some of the most horrible moments in my life and many of the best. Attending Easton was the greatest and must fulfilling time of my life and I am so glad we are remaining open to continue that legacy. I know that we will be as successful in the future as we have been in the past. I had the honor of receiving the Blue Ribbon School Award from President Clinton for Warren Easton and felt that I played a major role in the school receiving this award; Easton understands that “student empowerment is integral to academic and social success.” And I loved that.
From Jean Demas, my Principal and second mom to the late Shirlie Solomon my COE teacher and friend and all of the Easton Family, I miss you, I love you and I hope all is well with each of you. Antoine Banks, aabanks@atlantaga.gov
Antoine Banks, Atlanta, Georgia (Sent Jul 13, 2006 3:55:20 PM)
I would like to give a big thanks to mrs.Rious
for making a big difference in those students lives.
She really has a big heart May god counitue to bless u!
Yannie H New Orleans, L .A (Sent Jul 11, 2006 7:37:07 PM)
from a parent of a 2006 graduate of warren easton i think what ms. rious did was beautiful she deserves a round of applause, i know my daughter was so happy.
evelyn parker,gonzales, la. (Sent Jul 7, 2006 2:09:35 PM)
Not many teachers would have taken the time to do what Mrs. Rious did, and I'm glad SHE took the time to bring us together one last time as "Seniors".
Christian, New Orleans, LA (Sent Jul 3, 2006 10:56:57 PM)
Ms. Rious is a wonderful person and I hope that God continues to bless her for all that she has done for us. To many people that reunion might have been just a reunion but to some of us that event will always be "Warren Easton Fundamental Senior High School Class of 2006 Graduation."
Melissa, NOLA (Sent Jul 2, 2006 12:55:37 PM)
Jenny Rious exemplifies what New Orleans oldest and greatest High School has ALWAYS stood for. Her loyalty, dedication and love for ALL her students is why the Warren Easton Charter Foundation has proudly re-hired her for the coming year.
Every high school student should be so fortunate as to have a Jenny Rious in their life.
Jeff Zapata, Warren Easton Charter Foundation Board Member (Sent Jul 2, 2006 12:21:43 AM)
I am a former teacher at Warren Easton and I can attest to the fact that she is as genuine as the article portrays. She always has the students' best interest at heart, and it has been a pleasure to have worked with her. This is just a true testament to the dedication that teachers from New Orleans possess. We are always seen in a negative light but if you want to see educators at their best, visit Warren Easton and you will surely see just that. Though I am not returning this year, I look forward to working with Mrs. Rious and the wonderful staff of Warren Easton in the future.
(Sent Jul 1, 2006 11:42:57 PM)
Mrs Rious is indeed a shinning light at Warren Easton. She is just one of a dedicated staff that has made Warren Easton a National Blue Ribbon School as designated by the U S Dept of Education. For additional information on the school, please go to the school's official website: www.warreneastoncharterfoundaiton.com
Billy Hatchett, President of WE Charter Foundaiton (Sent Jul 1, 2006 4:53:45 PM)
WE HAD BEEN THROUGH A LOT BUT I STILL THANK MS. RIOUS. SHE WAS A WONDERFUL TEACHER AND WE CONSIDERED HER OUR FAVORITE.
DEJA: NEW ORLEANS, LA (Sent Jul 1, 2006 1:31:40 PM)
This is the kind of story that should make national headlines every where. You are a credit to your profession. God Bless you always,
John Lyons
John Lyons Lago Vista, TX (Sent Jun 30, 2006 6:29:21 PM)
In this day in time with some priest and teacher not doing the right thing, it’s refreshing to know there’s one teacher who really cares.
Very Nice Job Mrs. Rious
John A. Cox (Sent Jun 29, 2006 5:53:10 PM)
Doesn't PEOPLE magazine have a section devoted to teachers who make a difference? If so, here's one that needs to be featured. Pronto. Thanks for the story, it was lovely.
Tracy, West Hollywood, CA (Sent Jun 29, 2006 5:51:42 PM)
Ones senior year in hgh school is special in ones
lifetime. Thank God these students had someone that
found a way to keep them together and took the reins
to enrich thier lives. God bless her.
Don Rubin Syracuse, N.Y. (Sent Jun 29, 2006 1:52:26 AM)
Mrs. Rious is a true credit to the human
race, and I salute her!
Dolores Beaman, Lady Lake, Florida (Sent Jun 28, 2006 8:50:58 PM)
Talk about priceless! There's no way to pay this fine teacher enough money. Hats off to a woman who probably had enough on her personal plate & was still able to give her students something they would never have had without her. You can't explain it, it just creaps inside your heart as you live your Senior Year.
(Sent Jun 27, 2006 5:46:36 PM)
I know this sounds so cliche, but there really needs to be more like her. I live in MI and could only wish all of my boys teachers would be like her.
J.D. , MI (Sent Jun 27, 2006 5:23:07 PM)
What a dedicated teacher... and so many more just like her who have made a difference in the lives of so many of our students. Hats off to Mrs. Rious!
(Sent Jun 27, 2006 5:19:16 PM)
What a marvelous story! I would like to see a "Making A Difference" story about Mrs. Rious. Her students are fortunate to have had her as a teacher. I hope she can return to teaching at Warren Easton sometime.
Olivia Elizabeth Burdon, Peoria, Ill. (Sent Jun 27, 2006 2:56:50 PM)
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