The pervasive culture that Rose Young has created strengthens TJ.
Photo by Rebecca Holt
After over two decades at TJ, Spanish Teacher Rose Young is still exuding a positive attitude, a feeling of family, and a fun atmosphere in her classroom. “Teaching at TJ is like going to a comedy club,” said Young. “I have fun every day.”
Although it seems to some as if Young has been at TJ a lifetime, her teaching roots go all the way back to her time in high school. “My high school experience was great,” said Young. “That’s one of the reasons I wanted to start teaching. It was a small, family experience.”
Young’s family experience in high school was also aided by her Uncle’s role as an educator throughout her youth. “Having an uncle as an educator influenced me to be a teacher,” said Young. “It really implemented a positive learning experience.”
Young’s passion for teaching can be found in her plethora of experience. After completing college at the University of Colorado in 1971, Young pursued her interest in teaching by becoming a preschool teacher. Shortly afterward, Young taught at a middle school for ten years. “I’ve also taught college classes for community college. I’ve done from three-year-olds to college students,” laughed Young.
It was twenty-five years ago that Young entered the doors of TJ, and has inspired a remarkable family atmosphere ever since. “I love the feeling of family that you can find in TJ,” commented Young. “I think it’s mainly brought about by so many students who are involved in sports.”
With years of helping and supporting TJ’s sports teams, it’s no surprise that Young is an avid Spartan sports booster. “I enjoy all sports, especially rodeo and football,” said Young. “They teach you tolerance, a strong work ethic, teamwork, and self worth.”
While Young is a wholehearted supporter of sports and the values they invoke, she displays the same fervor for academics. “I love to spread the knowledge of Spanish and the knowledge of culture,” said Young. “It’s great to be able to contribute [culture] to education. It’s also just fun.”
Young’s efforts to spread culture and knowledge in her Spanish classes do not go unrecognized by her numerous students. “I like the way she teaches; you really learn a lot,” said Sophomore Cameron Montes, a student of Young’s Spanish 2 class. “She has a lot of personality, and it shows in her teaching.”
As well as promoting Spanish, culture, and sports-ethics, Young also generates strong relationships with her students. “I look forward to seeing everybody [later in their lives],” said Young. “The part I like the most is when people still remember me from TJ and invite me to their weddings. I just saw some graduates from ’99 and ’00.” It’s no surprise that Young develops such strong relationships with her students, considering her sons, Ron, a graduate of ’88, and Ramon, a graduate of ’00, are TJ alumni themselves.
After a lifetime of education and family, Young is able to commit to memory both the bad and the good moments in her life. “All my negative experiences taught me to always look at people’s self worth,” said Young. “I try not to be mean and nasty. I find the positive side in everyone.”
From childhood to her vital role at TJ today, Young has always found ways to make TJ feel like a close family, and takes pride in her contribution to TJ’s ambiance. “We’re in four-year journeys together,” said Young, beaming. “We’re all family for four years.”
