Jeanne Ormrod’s Story

‘Woman of Focus’

I’ve never really thought of myself as climbing, but I suppose I have climbed simply as a result of continuing to try to improve on what I’ve previously done, says Jeanne Ellis Ormrod, Pink Ladders Woman of Focus for April.

Jeanne is a top selling author well recognized in writing textbooks that integrate information with personal anecdotes for PhD candidate classes.  Last year Jeanne wrote a book she had thought about for years, Our Minds, Our Memories, a non-textbook written for a broad audience.  Light-hearted and humorous, Jeanne describes how people learn and remember, and why they sometimes don’t learn and remember.  The book includes exercises for readers to gain firsthand insights into how their minds work, and suggestions for thinking smart and helping others think smart.

“I had never initially thought of myself as someone who could write a book—that was a task for well-known individuals who had knowledge and skills I could never dream of having—I knew that the research articles I was writing for professional journals weren’t making a bit of difference in the lives of children. I gradually switched over to textbook writing and have enjoyed almost every minute of it. Partly it’s because I’ve always loved to write, and partly it’s because I think that in myriad little ways, I’m finally having a genuine impact on education in this country,” says Jeanne.

Without a concrete plan, Jeanne chose the field of educational psychology knowing only that she wanted to make a difference in children’s lives through bettering the quality of their education.

“Most people in my field go into teacher education after completing their doctorates, and that’s what I did, ultimately teaching teachers at the University of Northern Colorado for 22 years. In my years there, I became increasingly frustrated that textbooks for future teachers weren’t practicing what they preached—they made for dull, tedious, non-memorable reading.

A good education should be challenging, of course, but it can also be captivating and enjoyable, “says Jeanne.

Attending college was always Jeanne’s plan but a career was not.

“As a female attending high school in a middle-class town in Massachusetts in the 1960s, I often got the message that I should go to the best college I could primarily so that I could get the best husband I could. Four years later, with an Ivy League degree in hand but no husband in sight, I moved to Boston in search of employment. A key question at virtually every job interview was ‘How fast can you type?’, “says Jeanne.

It quickly became clear to Jeanne her options were limited unless she had at least a masters degree. So she applied to doctoral programs rather than masters programs, figuring she would have a better chance of getting financial assistance if the people making the admissions decisions thought she was pursuing a doctoral degree. Jeanne was correct.  She was awarded full tuition plus a big enough stipend to cover basic living expenses from Penn State.  “As it turns out, graduate school was fun, so after getting my masters, I stayed for the doctorate and earned my Ph.D. in educational psychology in 1975.”

Jeanne’s accomplishments are due in part to setting short term goals such as “I need to finish this chapter by the end of the week” or “I need to get these party invitations mailed tomorrow.” Ultimately all of her short-term goals are related to one long-term, abstract goal: To make the world a better place. “And isn’t that what life should really be all about?” says Jeanne.

One of the challenges Jeanne faced was overcoming her own ideas of what women’s roles were in general.  Being raised in the 50s and 60s, women were portrayed as wives, mothers and homemakers in the media.  Women were seen as people who supported men in their roles. She had to reorient her mindset to the primary goals of getting married and raising children.

Another challenge was balancing her professional life with the tasks of raising three children (including one with a disability) and maintaining a healthy marriage. “As I talk with women in their 20s and 30s these days, I’m finding that many of them are far more ambitious and

optimistic about the directions their career paths might take than I ever was at their age, but the career–family balancing act continues to be a challenge for women in the 21st century,” says Jeanne.

Jeanne’s toughest challenge has been parenting a now-adult disabled son.  “Life’s been an emotional roller coaster ever since he became ill at age 17. My strength comes partly from a wonderfully supportive group of friends and partly from my own mental set to look for ways in which I might mentally and emotionally grow from every unfortunate and unpleasant experience.”

“The hardest part for me was realizing that although I could support him, I couldn’t control him. Ultimately he was the one who had to come to terms with his illness. He doesn’t always make good decisions, and as his mom it’s hard for me to watch him make poor ones. But I’ve also come to accept that his life is his journey, not mine.”

“I continue to hope that he will find the strength to overcome his illness—not to cure it, because that’s not possible in today’s medical world, but at least to work within its constraints and try to rise above it. Underneath the many layers of his symptoms is the bright, talented, compassionate son I raised, and occasionally I see glimmers of that son, which gives me some hope that he might eventually have a worthwhile, fulfilling life,” says Jeanne.

Although support is in the form of family, friends, former teachers and professional colleagues who never said “you can’t do it”, Jeanne’s work ethic to produce professionally and socially garners the support of others.  “… in part other people’s support was the result of my own efforts to do the best job I could at whatever task was put in front of me. So it was a vicious cycle of the best sort: I worked hard, which made others want to support me, which helped me work harder and more effectively, and so on.”

Jeanne’s momentum is her genuine desire to make a difference, and her persistence to follow through.

She takes inspiration from and greatly admires President Barack Obama.  “He is a very smart and genuinely caring man.”

Her climb on the pink ladder did not involve significant mentors.  However, she has worked with the same editor for the past 20 years. “My books are as much a reflection of his guidance as they are a reflection of my own efforts.”

Networking was not a step in Jeanne’s climb.  Considering herself shy, she did not feel apt at networking in her earlier years.  Now her professional colleagues know her by reputation and seek her out.  “I’ve found networking snowballs: The more people you know, the more they can help you get to know other people,” says Jeanne.

Her advice to women is to figure out what you’re good at and play on strengths. Get the education and training needed to address any weaknesses that may be obstacles.  “And don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it!”

Jeanne does not anticipate retiring.  Her writing is part of how she lives.  Along with writing, her life is populated with activities that involve spending time with her good friends.  Those activities include two book groups, Bunco, racquetball games, yoga class and early morning walks.  She greatly enjoys traveling to places like Rwanda, Cambodia and Peru where the cultures are very different from those in which she grew up.

Amidst the balancing and coping, Jeanne says the best way for her to relax is to have a glass of wine with family or friends, ideally in a place with a good view.

“My books have gained me considerable recognition, and I get a lot of positive feedback about them from my readers. But I’m most proud of two children who have become teachers themselves—and, from what I can gather, very capable and caring ones,” says Jeanne.