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2025 Educator Inductee
2025 Educator Inductee
Janesville Waldorf Pemberton High School FACS Teacher
Ilene Blume was born and raised on a farm in Northern Minnesota.
Ilene with her mother Mary Ann Turek Hiaasen and sister Lorraine.
Ilene with her dad Freeman Hiaasen and sister.
In high school she was active in FHA, drama, band and speech contests.
Ilene graduated from the University of Minnesota with honors and was inducted into Phi Upsilon Omicron which is a college honorary society that recognizes academic achievement, develops leadership qualities and promotes service in the field of family and consumer sciences. She received a Masters and two special education degrees from Mankato State University and continued her studies at the University of St. Thomas.
Ilene's High School Graduation Picture in 1967.
Ilene taught Family and Consumer Science for 34 years at JWP.
She was granted a sabbatical for part of a year allowing her to serve as the coordinator of Strengthening FACS program. In that role, she worked with area FACs teachers to evaluate curriculum, share teaching ideas and strategies, examine support materials and visit other FACS programs. The main goal of the program was to ensure that programs were meeting the current needs of students and that the curriculum addressed pertinent, perennial problems.
Along with Carol Zeman, Ilene organized and implemented an evaluation of JWP's school program by developing a survey which was mailed to graduates to assess the strengths and weaknesses of JWP.
Ilene and Carol
Ilene served as advisor of FLA/FCCLA program for her entire career allowing many students to compete in Star Events and allowing members to complete various community service projects. One ambitious group of members organized a community service project that earned over $13,000 for charity.Â
Darlene Guse twice advanced to National Competition with her Star Event earned by being the best of over 500 participants at state FCCLA meeting.
Numberous students served as regional officers and therefore attended the FCCLA national meeting. Two students, Mary Kay Finley and Sarah Berns served as state officers, with Mary Kay holding a national office.
Mary Kay "Kiki" Finley at the Capitol for a National Officer's Meeting and Hubert Humphrey.
Many members enjoyed FCCLA trips to the Chanhassen Dinner Theater and the Guthrie.
Students attending a performance at the Guthrie.
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