Oh Hey Ms. J. waddya say?!

By Jenny Gifford April 2015

We celebrate you on this and every day-

With all these people- quite an array!

To publically acknowledge your swagger and sway You bring us together collectively to say:

Oh Hey! Ms. J., waddya say?!

We have little reminders every day-

Of how, in each of us, you’re here to stay.

When we notice these moments along the way-We can say with a smile and a resounding yay! Oh Hey! Ms. J., waddya say!?

When the sun shines down its warming ray-When the mocking bird sings at the break of day-

When we wear your hand-made, sparkling jewelray­The special gifts you gave we hooray!

Oh Hey! Ms. J., waddya say!?

With your Mom and Dad’s love leading the way Byron and Trevor’s brother love and horseplay-Aunt Jackie’s nurturing all of the way-

Family love stands up with special pride today Oh Hey! Ms. J. waddya say!?

Nephew Myles your “Bug ” wanted you to stay-Nieces Sloane and Harper will carry your way You wanted to spoil them so – oy vay!

They know you loved them in every way-Oh Hey! Ms. J, waddya say!?

Mark, Jerry, Hans, Chris, Renwick, Mr. Jenkins, West, Stohr, and Anands: your male posse

Pam, Olivia, Ann, Rhonda, Miriam, Naomi, in the girlfriend melee.

Teaching Econ., Gov., US and African-American Historay!

Students flocked to your inspiring canopay!

Oh Hey! Ms, J. waddya say!?

At first you weren’t sure of teaching day to day-

For certification Mr. Marshall coached you forgotten algebray! Named Teacher of the Year! You earned it tres!

Your legacy lives on here at DSOA

Oh Hey! Ms. J. waddya say?

Your Life Project taught society’s interplay-

Your compassion for others we felt right away-You especially cared for those who tended to stray. For our souls, you promised us you’d pray-

Oh Hey! Ms. J. waddya say?

Our gratitude to you we’d like to convey

For how you always went way out of your way.

Ensuring your fun vision at Arts Club and Jefferson’s Jubilay With you, kids from everywhere knew every day’s a holiday! Oh Hey! Ms. J. waddya say?

Your amazing spirit of life purveys-

When we laugh out loud and get carried away-

How you made it better for so many, you paved the way Giving it back-or forward- is our way to repay-

Oh Hey! Ms. J. waddya say?

Waxing too poetic would be a slight naivetee

We all know your sideways look when rubbed the wrong way Resulting in your conviction with clear diction: “You know I don’t play!” We laughed and knew it was your way of being sassay.

Oh Hey! Ms. J. waddya say?

Your endless story telling – can we just say!? Sometimes your texting was an erratic comeday Early a.m. dings were a regular way.

Now I miss them with the start of my day. Oh Hey! Ms. J. waddya say!?

Always with grace you kept the rough at bay. You modeled discernment in the day to day-Our fears, your bright smile would allay Your love for us made it all feel ok-

Oh Hey! Ms J. waddya say

I admired your penchant for: “what the hey!”

To buy those cute shoes even if it wasn’t your birthday… When the song Makes me Happy is ever played-

We all jump up and dance like cray cray!!

Oh Hey! Ms. J. waddya say!?

The loss we all feel is a heavy weigh.

It’s difficult to accept, impossible to defray-

Your words of encouragement we miss every day We always have the urge to call and say:

Oh Hey! Ms. I. waddya say?

We miss your awesome hugs in a very big way-Lea love we soak up for forever and a day.

Goodbye is word unbearable to say.

So we shout when we see you in us and in our days: Oh Hey! Ms. J. waddya say!?