Sherman inspired by students and engineering

“I was inspired to become a teacher because I love to see the interest and sparkle in the students eye.”

Jane Shurman is the new engineering teacher at West Florence High School. She became a teacher because of her love for kids and wanting to learn and be engaged with engineering.

Shurman said loves kids and wants to see how they view engineering. She also wants to see more ladies in engineering because she thinks the female representation is very low in fields like engineering and other sciences.

Shurman attributes her interest in the field to her father.

“My dad is a big role model in my life because he was an engineer and he was there for me when I needed a different perspective on things,” Shurman said.

Shurman said her dad gave her many different perspectives when it came to all aspects in life whether it relates to engineering or just planning life. She loves her family and dog more than anything and they play a major role in her life.

“Three people I would want to be whether they are dead or alive would be Dolly Parton - rags to riches story because she was a brilliant businesswoman and I love what she has done to help others,” said Shurman. “Bill Gates because I would use his money to attempt to solve many of the worlds pressing problems and Condoleezza Rice because I like and trust her perspective on world events.”

These people are big role models in her life for many different reasons and she sees ways she would change the world if she were one of these people. One thing she can do as herself, though, is installing lifelong values in her family and students, such as appropriate behavior and responsibility. Oh, and dress!

“I would never be caught dead in 300 dollar shoes and skin tight shirts,” she said.

Shurman said she really dislikes focusing on clothing and she thinks it's crazy that people will spend 300 dollars on shoes and walk really funny trying to not crease them. What Shurman does like is going to the mountains because it is peaceful and beautiful. She also likes softball and the violin which she use to play when she was younger.

Sherman is a great addition to the small, but growing engineering department. She is inspired by the students she teaches.