Our greatest asset has always been its people – the individuals who breathe life and legacy into every hallway and classroom. We are thrilled to continue a series dedicated to celebrating the iconic figures within each building—the names and faces that serve as the heartbeat of their schools. We asked, “Who embodies the spirit of our education, and whose dedication and contributions should be given the spotlight it deserves?” Ultimately, we went looking for the answer to one simple sentiment: “When I think of ____, I think of ___________.”
His professionalism, his knowledge, and his wisdom are unparalleled. His methods and traditions have withstood the test of time. His famed storytelling abilities and intriguing interpretations of Shakespeare, Chaucer, and more lead to conversations passed down from generation to generation. Jack Jean is not only one who has built a legacy, but he stands both as an icon and an established institution that helps define education with the walls of Lincoln County High School and in Lincoln County itself.
Since 1984, Mr. Jean has been a bridge linking the past and present. With a deep, almost encyclopedic knowledge of canonical literature, Mr. Jean guides students through ancient terrain, while effortlessly weaving in references to current events, pop culture, and contemporary voices to prove that great texts never stop speaking. He is a guardian of those works – a superhero – if you will. In his classroom, literary analysis becomes a high-stakes mission where close reading is the ultimate tool and critical thinking an absolute necessity, showing students how historical voices can illuminate the complexities of today.
He is the calm in the storm, a voice of stability and safety, and one who inspires those around him.
Mr. Jean is our Dumbledore- the one we look to for guidance and wisdom in our department.
He is the one that former students, now teachers themselves, find themselves returning to in order to simply sit in one of his desks and feel the weights of life and the profession be lifted for a moment, and to relieve those magical moments only the Mr. Jean experience can provide.
Jack Jean is our raconteur. According to Webster, "If you're a sage of sagas, a bard of ballads, or a pro in prose, you may have lost count of the accounts you’ve recounted. Some might call you a raconteur.
He is, without a doubt, a superhero.
He is, without a doubt, as Dumbledore.
He is, without a doubt, the one we tell our children of.
He is, without a doubt, the one we turn to when we need a reminder of younger, better times.
He is, without a doubt, a master and a legend.