Mrs. Jane Eccleston and her daughter, Brin. Photo Courtesy of Jane Eccleston.

English teacher Mrs. Jane Eccleston, a literature lover, coffee connoisseur, and hidden gem of LFHS truly continues to leave such a positive permanent mark on her students. 

Like most college students, Eccleston was once initially forced to figure out what she wanted to do with her life. However, she always had a passion for English and literature and was offered an internship her senior year of college. This, ultimately, allowed her to finally uncover her passion for teaching. 

Eccleston studied at Northwestern University and then went to graduate school in Boston. She came straight to work at LFHS at the young age of 23. 

Her first-ever class had students at the age of 18, so by teaching students with such a small age gap to herself, her first year of teaching was filled with fun and connection building. 

Eccleston loves the freedom and choice teachers get at LFHS compared to other districts, especially because, for the most part, teachers get to choose how they teach their classes. LFHS has been the only place Eccleston has taught at throughout her whole teaching career.

With this year being her 24th year, she has experience teaching numerous literature and English classes, including English 2H, English 3H, Film, and AP Literature. 

Despite teaching so many classes with such variety, she admits that AP Literature is definitely her favorite. 

“I enjoy teaching AP Literature the most because the kids who are in it specifically choose to take the class, and most of the time it’s because they have such a strong love for literature, which gives me the full capability to do what I love most,” Eccleston said. 

Her students recognize all of her hard work and how she has tremendously helped them grow into loving literature. 

“Mrs. Eccleston is one of my favorite teachers at LFHS. I was kind of nervous about taking AP Lit but she made it very easy to get acquainted with the class as she was helpful and super welcoming and overall just such a good teacher,” senior Mahi Bhalla said. “I always look forward to going to her class because of how interesting each discussion we have is. She is just the sweetest person.” 

Other students share this sentiment.

“Mrs. Eccleston brings a sense of humor to the reading and to our discussions,” senior Chloe York said. “She relates books written years ago to us in the modern day. I’d say the way she runs her class just always makes me excited for third period everyday, it’s just so engaging.” 

In Eccleston’s free time, she enjoys partaking in anything creative. From drawing, to reading, to sewing, she enjoys anything that keeps her busy. While also, of course, being there for her daughter Brin and helping her with anything she may need. 

At home, she even has two guinea pigs, Hazel and Potato, who keep her busy and entertained on a daily basis. 

Throughout most of Eccleston’s career at LFHS, she has had the opportunity to work alongside her husband Mr. Lance Ferges, who also teaches AP Literature. She describes the ease of working with her husband as “the only thing she has ever known.”

In a way, LFHS fostered the start of their relationship and they have been together ever since. 

The two met right when Eccleston first started working at LFHS. The head of their English department organized a fun night out at the Ravinia Festival with a mix of new and old teachers. 

Eccleston went and enjoyed the night, as she was one of the only new teachers who actually showed up. Among the other teachers, Ferges was there. At the end of the night, Eccleston was having trouble finding her car, and Ferges had helped her find it. 

“It’s nice to know I always have an ally here, someone on my side. It’s nice knowing we understand each other’s day to day lives and I couldn’t imagine it any other way,” Eccleston said. 

LFHS has felt like a home to Eccleston for the years she has been teaching here. She has left such strong positive impacts among all of the students she has taught because of how easy it is to create connections with her.