Dorothy Furnace may have retired in June after serving for 25 years
as principal of Jefferson School, but her name will be known to future
students at the Chicago Heights school for years to come.
As a tribute to the veteran educator, the District 170 Board of Education
has named the Jefferson School gymnasium in her honor.
Furnace spent a good part of her life with School District 170. As a
student, she attended the district's Lincoln Elementary School and Washington
Junior High School.
She began her professional career in education in 1961 at the former
Franklin Elementary School in Chicago Heights (now Gavin School) after
earning a bachelor's degree from Illinois State University. In 1973 Furnace
was appointed assistant principal of Franklin School.
While working Furnace completed her master's degree at Governors State
University and received her administrative credentials from St. Xavier
University in Chicago.
Furnace was named principal of Jefferson School in 1975 and remained
there for a quarter of a century. During her 39 years working with students,
she taught and guided thousands of youngsters.
"A woman came to register a child for kindergarten at Jefferson and
I recognized her as a former student," Furnace said. "It turned out that
the former student was the kindergartner's grandmother. That certainly
registered for me the passage of time," Furnace said.
Over the past four decades, Furnace was witness to many changes in education.
"The increased use of technology has changed methodology, but nothing
will ever replace the caring , dedicated teacher," she said.
She also saw educational trends run full circle. "This is especially
true in the teaching of reading and math. Yet our goal has always remained
the same: to encourage and challenge our students to achieve to their maximum
potential," Furnace said.
"I feel very fortunate to have spent 39 years involved in the career
of my choice. It truly has been a labor of love," Furnace said.
The retiree now plans to spend her leisure days traveling, improving
her golf game and spending more time with her family.
She has earned the right to relax, but she says she has not really quit
teaching. "Eventually, I'll do something involved with children and education,"
Furnace said.