Ready for the next challenge

Assistant principal ends last year at Frontier Middle School

MOSES LAKE — At Frontier Middle School, where assistant principal Jon Lane has worked for the last several years of his 31-year career in education, words like "confidence" and "children" decorate the entrance to his office.

Next year, however, his office location will be changing to St. Rose of Lima Catholic School in Ephrata where he will take up the position of principal. His drive to instill confidence and love to students will not.

"It does give me the chance to do something different," said Lane of making the transition from a school of 700 to one of 70 students. "I'm not ready to retire, but I'm ready for something different."

Having started out teaching in the Pullman School District, Lane attributes much of his success as an educator to the community of Moses Lake and coaches who have helped him along the way.

They taught that hard work was OK, said Lane of his coaches.

A 1965 graduate of Moses Lake High School, Lane brought home the state wrestling championship in 1964 and 1965, achievements that are hallmark moments for this father of three and grandfather of seven.

"It's a big part of who I am," said Lane of his time spent wrestling and coaching. "It was all up to you when you went out there."

But that is not all he wants to be remembered for as he prepares to leave the Moses Lake School District where he started teaching in the early 1980s.

"I hope I'm known as more than just an athlete or a coach or a teacher, I hope I'm known as someone who cares about kids," he said.

While many of Lane's memories bring back fulfilling moments of watching his students grow up and start their own lives, Lane has also had his share of less happier moments.

One of those being the 1996 school shooting at FMS, after which Lane received the Carnegie Hero Award for his role in disarming 14-year-old gunman, Barry Loukaitis, who shot and killed a teacher and two students.

"I think we tried to talk more, care about each other more," said Lane of the tragedy.

Looking ahead to his departure from FMS, Lane leaves with the realization that great things have been accomplished there, but there will still be challenges ahead at the school.

One of those challenges Lane believes, will be to give a balanced education to students, so that they can do well academically, but still grow socially.

"We want to teach the whole child," he said. "Middle school students are going through so much in their lives, it's a challenge."

From physical education, health, science, math, history, shop and crafts, Lane has had a buffet of roles that include serving on the Moses Lake Parks and Recreation Board and as a current member of the Moses Lake City Council.

As for life post-teaching, Lane said he desires to stay connected to his Moses Lake community and his church family, and wants to continue working as long as he can do the job well.

"'You must be the change you want to see in the world,'" said Lane, repeating the words of Mahatma Gandhi; words that are a lifelong motto of Lane's.