Mary Jane Rackard

I graduated Hume-Fogg in 1971. I had Miss Rudd for English, the next year she was Mrs. Rackard. I remember her as a beautiful woman and a creative teacher whom we all loved and learned many things about life and English. She got in trouble because of her unorthodox teaching methods however they really helped us to learn and appreciate her more. I feel blessed to have had her as a teacher. May she Rest In Peace and God be with her family.

Of all the teachers I have had in my life, only 2 made the biggest impressions and impact. My 4th grade teacher, Jeanne Clarke and my high school English teacher, Mrs. Mary Jane Rackard! Mrs. Rackard taught me English at Hume-Fogg Tech. & Voc High School, 1973. I remember her being attractive, not too much older than we were, and had a special style of teaching English! I remember the Mondays in the fall when she would share UT football game experiences (good and bad). Don't believe I ever saw her lose her temper! I gained the most respect for her when me and some of my classmates who were musicians wanted to start a band. Hume-Fogg did not offer music courses. I asked one of the principals for permission and he told me we would need a sponsor and suggested the pep club which included the cheerleaders. Mrs. Rackard agreed to sponsor us. We played at all pep rallies, dances, and a talent show. Without her sponsorship we would never have had those opportunities! Many of us are professional musicians today and Mrs. Rackard played a big part in that! I last saw Mrs. Rackard at a Martin Luther King Magnet High School Commencement. I recognized her right away. I had a video production company and we were video taping the commencement. We spoke afterwards (yes, she remembered me!) and got caught up on life. I sent her a copy of the commencement and she wrote me a letter of thanks that I will always cherish! She was special! My prayers and condolences to the family! It was a privilege to have known Mrs. Rackard!