Mike Wolanin | The Republic Lisa Shafran, last year’s The Republic Woman of the Year, puts a medallion on this year’s The Republic Woman of the Year Janice Montgomery during a ceremony at The Commons in downtown Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, June 7, 2023.
“This is overwhelming. It’s kind of like the first day of teaching.”
Those were the words of community volunteer and semi-retired educator Janice Montgomery as she accepted The Republic’s 2022 Woman of the Year award in a ceremony at The Commons Wednesday evening.
The award, which dates back to 1981, annually honors a woman from Bartholomew County who has contributed to creating a vital community.
“I’m humbled to be among the women of character who hold this honor,” said Montgomery.
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. Director of Elementary Education Laura Hack, who had Montgomery as a mentor, said that she admires “her tenacity, her kindness, her energy and her giving spirit.”
Montgomery’s career in education includes work with the BCSC, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and the Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation.
Today, she serves as schoolmarm at the one-room Simmons Schoolhouse in Hope (a role she took on in 2006), substitutes for BCSC teachers and administrators and is the president of the Bartholomew County Retired Teachers Association.
John Burnett, executive vice chairman of the Community Education Coalition, said Montgomery worked alongside his mother, fellow teacher and 1991 Woman of the Year Ruth Ann Burnett.
However, he got to know her best when he approached BCSC with the idea of having Montgomery be on loan to the Center for Teaching and Learning. He said that the center was a “concept that became a reality” thanks to the work of Montgomery and several other individuals dedicated to serving “learners of all ages and those who teach.”
“That actually epitomizes Janice, and I’m grateful to know her,” said Burnett.
In addition to her work in education, Montgomery is also involved in a wide range of community activities — such as serving as a volunteer at Columbus Regional Health, working with the National Alliance on Mental Illness South Central’s Committee on Family to Family Training, holding various responsibilities at her church and continuing to be involved with the educational exchange relationship between Columbus and Miyoshi, Japan.
“I always know that if Janice is involved, it’s going to be done 110% the right way, and it’ll be fun,” said Diane Doup, community outreach coordinator for the Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center and 2011 Woman of the Year.
During her speech, Montgomery thanked the friends, family and community members who have gone alongside her and helped her grow.
“In every situation, I was allowed to grow in new ways and use my talents and interests to make lots of good friends along the way,” she said. “Most of all, I interacted with many students in unique ways. I’m dedicated to return the favor to so many community members who volunteer with me in this county. There are so many options to participate and enrich the lives of those around us. Thanks to each of you for not running when you see me at Kroger, because you know I’m going to ask you to volunteer.”
