Latin School of Chicago

2011 Retirees: Jan Wilson Jan Wilson joined the faculty at Latin in 1979. It's no wonder that by the time she retired from teaching at the end of the 2010-2011 school year, the much-admired golf coach and longtime lower school P.E. teacher was pretty excited to catch up on her sleep. "I must admit that it's so wonderful not to have to get up at 6 a.m. every morning," Wilson said. "It's been lovely not having to rush to work every day." That's not to say she's taking it easy. Wilson continues to coach boys golf with Robert Anderson (The team went to the state tournament again this year.), and she'll be working with the basketball program during the winter season. When she's not at Latin, Wilson is managing Di's Den, her family's bar in Portage Park. "My mom deserves some time away from the business," Wilson said, "and I'd like her to not have to worry about the bar. I'd also like her to get away from the Chicago winters." Surprisingly, some of the same skills that were important in her teaching career are a big part of her new job. She's still helping people, listening and commiserating. "It's like I tell my mom," Wilson said. "Little kids, little problems. Big kids, bigger problems. And then adults have even bigger problems. But they're all the same problems – just the magnitude increases." She would know: Wilson often coaches the same students she taught in lower school. "The best part about my job at Latin was that I had this longitudinal view of these kids' school careers." She said. "Unlike homeroom teachers, I saw these kids at every stage. And it was such a privilege, knowing these kids their whole lives and having an impact on them for a sustained period of time." That theme of sustained influence helped inform one of Wilson's favorite initiatives at Latin: the Superstars Sports League, which began more than 15 years ago. "One of the nicest features of that program was engaging high school athletes in the off-season to come down and coach at the lower school." Jan Wilson Wilson is happy that retirement has been so rich with opportunities. She has been able to continue her work with young athletes at Latin, foster new and caring relationships with the patrons at Di's Den and broaden her commitment to community outreach by organizing drives and fundraisers for Toys for Tots and St. Jude's Children Hospital at the bar. And while she definitely doesn't miss that early morning alarm clock blaring in her ear, her former students are another story. "This fall," Wilson said, "I was waiting outside for the bus and the golf team. I saw the lower school students and they tackled me. It was wonderful. And I do miss them. "But," she added, "I still keep great company with my high school kids." l – Jessica Reaves "It was such a privilege, knowing these kids their whole lives and having an impact on them for a sustained period of time." Latin School of Chicago 13

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