I had Anne - Miss Varnadoe to us -- for 8th grade US History at Terman Junior High (as it was then), 1962-63. I loved her and always enjoyed being in her class. How lucky we were to have a teacher like her. Mary Jo Porter -- 2019

Remembrance of Anne Varnedoe Tomczak (1932-2018) In the school year 1954-55, I was a student in Miss Varnedoe’s eighth-grade English class at Jordan Junior High School, in Palo Alto. I was 12, going on 13. She was ageless, like all my teachers. Now that I know the year she was born, I realize Miss Varnedoe was only 22 when she became one of my most influential teachers. I remember the atmosphere of rigorous learning in her classroom. She taught us with purpose and fairness. Reading, writing, and grammar were important skills. I remember vividly the hard work of writing essays for Miss Varnedoe. The task seemed impossible. What did I have to say? How could I write it? Among the popular songs in 1954 was Joan Weber’s plea, (sing) “Oh, let me go, let me go, let me go, lover/ Let me be, set me free from your spell….” Struggling with my essays, I stomped through my family’s house singing my version: (sing) “Let me go, let me go, let me go, Varnedoe!” Then I sat down and wrote some more. I did not become a songwriter, or singer, but as a result of Miss Varnedoe’s excellent instruction and encouragement, I became an English major in college, and then a teacher, writer, editor, and trainer of teachers. I am grateful that she was my teacher. Barbara G. Schonborn June 9, 2018