Anne Jane Gleason Started Multicultural Studies At Prep

Anne Jane Fabico Gleason, a beloved language teacher at Seattle Preparatory School, started the school's multicultural-diversity program almost on a dare.

Ms. Gleason, who was Hispanic, knew of the need for such a program. She just needed the spark.

"Anne Jane asked a friend to send her child to Prep, but the friend said there was no cultural diversity at Prep," said Ms. Gleason's husband of five years, Jim Sullivan of Shoreline.

"So Anne Jane said, `If you send your child there, I will start a multicultural-enrichment program.' Now they're teaching it for credit as part of social studies."

Ms. Gleason died of cancer Saturday (March 13). She was 47.

Her first diversity classes were electives. Students spent each month studying the food, music and history of a different culture.

She led Prep's Diversity Advisory Committee, made up of students, faculty members, parents and trustees who shape the school's curriculum, social and admissions programs.

"This was near and dear to her heart," said Prep President Robert Graby. "She had energy and enthusiasm for all she did, but especially around this issue. She was ready to go the extra mile, do the extra work."

The Seattle native graduated from the old Immaculate High School on south Capitol Hill. She earned a bachelor's degree in French with a minor in Spanish at Seattle University, and a master's in education at Eastern Washington University.

She first taught languages at Holy Names Academy, then religion and languages at O'Dea High School. She began teaching French and Spanish at Seattle Prep in 1987.

A single mom for a half-dozen years after an early marriage ended, she remarried and became a mother to her husband's children. She insisted they all eat dinner together Fridays through Sundays.

"What struck me about Anne Jane was how hard she worked to make our blended families work," said Sullivan. "We're very tight.

"The other thing was, she had such a passion for teaching. I have two boxes of letters from students. They say she taught them about life and how to be a good person. . . . She was caring and concerned about them not only in class but in their lives."

Also surviving are her children Tom Gleason and Erin Gleason of Seattle, Maggie Sullivan of San Francisco, Kerry Sullivan of Seattle, and Kate Sullivan and Maureen Sullivan of Shoreline; sister, Veronica Palacios, and brother, Emilio Fabico, both of Orlando.

A memorial Mass is at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Luke's Catholic Church, 322 N. 175th St., Shoreline.

Remembrances may go to Anne Jane Gleason Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Seattle Prep, 2400 11th Ave. E., Seattle, WA 98102.

Carole Beers' phone message number is 206-464-2391. Her e-mail address is cbeers@seattletimes.com