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I am sitting at my computer desk listening to the J Story, a story I have heard often but a story that still resonates within me when hearing it. In fact, this story is known by many throughout Indiana, even at Harvard University.

J entered this world to a dysfunctional family. J's father was an alcoholic who could not keep a job or promises because of his addiction; J's mother had to work three jobs which often meant he was on his own. Once J's dad promised him a red and white athletic jacket which he did not receive. (A similar jacket was recently presented to J with the generous help of Adora Paetzel  at Special By Design. In retrospect, J feels his dad's problems were largely due to serving our country during World War II.)

J grew quickly and frequently hung around an older group of boys, never really having much of a childhood while often appearing to be a tough guy when in truth he was trying to find himself. Once, he had to defend his mom from his dad with a ball bat at the age of 12, and the local police were called to their small apartment. 

Basketball was his sport, and he excelled at it while being one of the best street players in his city. He even tried out for the varsity basketball team at a large high school that was known as one of the best in the State of Indiana and was one of ten players selected. However, J was shooting free throws on a playground and was kicked off the team just before their first game.

When asking the coach why, he stated that J broke a team rule, but the conversation did not stop there. The coach compared him to his dad who had just died on the sidewalks of the city. Not long after that, J got in serious trouble at school and was expelled for an entire year. To J's credit, he returned and graduated. He gave much credit to a teacher who would regularly check on him and his mom. This teacher made J reflect a lot when asking the following question, “J, one of these days you are going to die; I just wonder if this world will be better because of what you contributed, or will it be just as well off because you are gone?”

J then worked as a buyer at a large department store and was doing quite well. People encouraged him to go to college. While talking with a college counselor, the counselor looked at his records and was quite direct in expressing he had no business enrolling with his rather dismal record, that he had little, if any, chance of making it. Well J told the counselor he did not really know him and could not base his opinions on the papers in front of his eyes. J worked two full time jobs while paying his way through college, slept about three hours a day, went to mostly night classes, and graduated with a degree in education. He became a teacher while saying he would never cross over to the administrator side.

Fortunately for me and many others, Warner J Michener did become a principal, and his journey somehow led him to becoming principal at Hope Elementary for 13 years. (He gives much credit to former FRHC superintendent, Glen Keller, one of his best friends.) Even though we had different job titles, I always thought of us as two educators trying to help our most important resource, children. 

Mr. Michener never forgot J and realized there were other Js. He would start and end each day with the words “I love you.” When approached by veteran teacher Barb Walters about having an all-school Thanksgiving in the gym, he was all for it because he knew the importance of each child feeling as if they were part of a family that day at school, even if some did not have that feeling at home. His speech started with signing “I love you” with students getting quiet and many returning the sign. Then, from his rocking chair, he would stress the importance of being right with God, right with family at home and at school, and to show love toward others.

Standardized testing and standardized curriculum became more and more important due to legislation in Washington D.C. resulting in the No Child Left Behind Act which was never properly funded and resulted in more failure stories than success stories. Hope Elementary scores improved each year under Mr. Michener's leadership, a devoted staff, and focused students. Even with standardized pressures, he understood the importance of giving teachers and students freedom to branch away at times for creative learning situations.

We had all-school trade book days with students signing up for a particular book with often a different teacher; we had all-school flight days where students would travel to different classrooms to study the history of flight which veteran teacher Barb Johnson initiated; we had Hank Finken, from the Indiana Arts Council, come in and lead all grade levels to an eventual major gym production in front of parents and others about important events of each decade; we had all-school fund raisers when Mr. Michener would challenge students to meet a goal. (Students always met the goal consequently providing needed supplies for their classroom teachers. And it would result in Mr. Michener doing something like dressing up as Big Bird and hanging out on a lift 50 feet in the air on a very cool and windy May day with each student being rewarded with something special, like an ice cream sundae.)

I will never forget the three words he stated when asked if I could do a recording project with students: “Go For It!” One project led to others, and over 600 students experienced producing and then marketing their CDs with the profit being returned to the music program for instruments. (Please Google Sally Webster Albums, The Child-Start Smilin' with the songs from the Hope Elementary CD projects now traveling all over the world.)

After retiring from the principal position at Hope Elementary, Mr. Michener returned to teaching at IUPUC helping prospective teachers find their way to the classroom. We went to the recording studio after receiving a grant from the Hawcreek-Flatrock Area Endowment Fund where we did his J Story and then gave away the CDs to all educators in Flatrock-Hawcreek School Corporation, the Hope Police Department, Human Services, and other places. He incorporated the CD in his college classes, while sometimes having students with similar backgrounds as his.

Where is Mr. Michener presently? He resides out in the country not too far from Hope with his wife, Shawn, who was a tremendous third grade teacher at Hope Elementary for twenty-two years. He is happy to be alive. Several years ago, he was told by the doctors he might not survive a challenging surgery. After staying in the hospital for months, he beat the odds. Am I surprised? No! J will tell you that, no matter what, you can beat the odds like he has throughout his life. Mr. Michener spends much time with his family and grandchildren and still has a Mickey Mouse watch to remind himself of three things: there is a time to be a child no matter our age; there is a time to be serious and a time to laugh; and there is a time to get away from situations no longer rewarding and fun.

Quotes from Mr. Michener worthy of thought:

* ”An organization is only as good as the people in it.”
* ”There must always be a proper balance of work and fun.”
* ”To receive love and respect, you must give love and respect.”
* “Kids don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
* ”Kids truly want and expect boundaries.”
* ”Schools are built for kids.”

(I strongly believe Indiana and Washington should survey students as well as educators and parents more in support of this point.)

* ”For one negative, 12 positives, if not more, are needed to eliminate it.”
* ”There are many cries for help if taking the time to listen.”
* ”Kids that are pushing buttons likely are under much stress at home.”
* ”Education is a noble profession because of helping kids and kids like J find their way.

If wishing a CD with the full J Story including a few songs from the Hope Elementary CD projects, please contact David Webster at 812-390-6550.