A teacher makes a lasting impact on the students that come through their classroom each school year, and Jane Lawson was no different. Jane was one of the fiercely-dedicated teachers that taught at Grant Elementary School in Elgin, where she began her teaching career. She taught 5th and 6th grade at Grant Elementary until her retirement in 1996. She was known for loving - and tracking - her students, sending many of them personalized notes when they graduated high school. The Grant Elementary School site was repurposed into the Grant School Park by the City of Elgin in 2008.

Jane Lawson passed away on February 15th, 2019, surrounded by her loving family. In lieu of flowers, the Lawson family asked family and friends to donate to the U-46 Educational Foundation in Jane’s name, generating $3,475 in donations for the Foundation. The U-46 Educational Foundation was one of the many organizations that Jane was involved in and loved so much.

“Our mother was determined to teach my brothers and I refinement, integrity, and high moral standards," shared Julie Ball, one of Jane’s four children. “In the classroom she employed the same expectations. She set high standards for her students and tirelessly worked toward a positive impact. She instilled her belief that education and being organized was the key to a fulfilling life. Her dedication to her students was lifelong.”

Pictured are, from left to right, Jane's son-in-law Rod Ball, daughter Julie Lawson-Ball, granddaughter Mary Ball, and Jane Lawson. The U-46 Educational Foundation is grateful to the Lawson family and their thoughtful selection of the Foundation as their mother's memorial, and the many friends and family who donated in her memory.