Cove High teacher leads professional organization of thousands of members

By WENDY SLEDD

The ballroom was packed at the Sheraton Hotel in Dallas. But when five-foot, three-inch tall Jana Shurtleff walked onto the stage, the room fell silent. The 3,000-plus membership of The Family  and Consumer Sciences Teachers Association of Texas gave their undivided attention to its leader as she opened the annual conference. Shurtleff, a Cove  High School teacher of Family and Consumer Sciences for the last nine years, rapped her gavel  one last time as she wrapped up her year-long presidency of FCSTAT, a nonprofit organization  dedicated solely to representing family and consumer sciences teachers in Texas. “It has been an honor  to serve as the 2014-2015 president of the Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers Association in  Texas. I have led this organization throughout the year from attending Texas  Board of Education committee meetings, to conducting Fall, Spring, and  Summer FCSTAT Board of Directors meetings, to  hosting a Mid-Winter andSummer Professional Development conferences,” Shurtleff said, smiling as she recalled the huge responsibility. “I have had the opportunity to collaborate  with teachers, administrators and industry  professionals from around the state as we  tackled ways to promote FCS Education and the  FCS Educator. “Family and Consumer Sciences is what was once known as Home  Economics in schools and I have been happy to share with those who  may not know that we are still in schools, just under  a different name with a slightly different, more career-minded focus.” Each year, FCSTAT  conducts conferences and workshops designed to provide members the  latest information about best practice instructional methods, latest technology,  inspiring presenters and exposure to a variety of exhibitors. But, it was not Shurtleff’s small stature that commanded the group of thousands. It is her leadership ability honed at an early age. Shurtleff demonstrated leadership skills back before she was in high school through 4-H, Rainbow Girls, sports, academics and of course, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. The desire to serve has never left Shurtleff. “I appreciate CCISD allowing me to serve my professional organization in this capacity,” she said. “Everywhere I go across the state, Copperas Cove ISD tags my name, and I share what great programs we have to offer students  in CCISD. Many are amazed at the variety of programs we offer and our FCS and Career Technology  Education programs serve as role models. “As a benefit of leading  FCSTAT, I have been able to bring a wealth of knowledge back to Copperas Cove that has and  will be used to strengthen our programs even more from culinary arts, to instructional practices, to fashion design, to mental  health and much more,” she said. Shurtleff will continue to serve FCSTAT as a past president and advisor for the 2015-2016 school  year.