Carlsbad school turning out for teacher

By: MARGA KELLOGG - For the North County Times
Auction set to raise money after cancer diagnosis | Monday, March 17, 2008 11:07 PM PDT ∞

CARLSBAD -- Jodian Squire has touched a lot of lives, and now teachers and parents at the Carlsbad Country Day School are turning out to touch hers.

After trying for months to find out why she was feeling pain in her chest, Squire, 35, was diagnosed in October with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, said school director Melissa Reed.

Squire, who is described by her fellow teachers as energetic, optimistic and hardworking, was pregnant at the time, Reed said. In January, baby Zoeann was delivered seven weeks early so her mom could start treatment.

Meanwhile, Squire's husband, Adam, was laid off from his job because he was taking too much time off to help her, said Reed.

The preschool off Cannon Road has stepped in to help. A room at the facility is filled with donated items for a silent auction that teachers are holding to raise money for the family.

Reed said the school has raised $7,400 to help the family with the $30,000 in medical bills they've acquired so far by hosting private baby sitting at the school.

Teachers donated their time on Saturdays to baby-sit, and parents donated whatever they wanted, with the money going to the family.

The Squires, who live in Bressi Ranch, are out of state for medical reasons and were not available for comment Monday.

A few months ago, parent John Hradnansky came up with the idea for a silent auction.

Reed said the school now has over $10,000 in donated items, including golf packages and dinners from the La Costa Resort and Spa and Four Seasons Resort Aviara, private flying lessons and bicycles from Electra Bicycle Co.

She said she's hoping people will either donate more items for the auction, which starts March 24 and runs through March 28, or bid on existing items.

"We've just been trying to do anything we can," said Reed. "She was a really great teacher." Reed said that before her diagnosis, Squire set up the school's library and donated half of the books. She also ran a book program for young readers and taught the art class at the school on her own time.

Carlsbad Country Day School is a preschool for children ages six months to 6 years. It has about 200 students and 30 teachers and opened in 2006.

The school has donated free day care for Zoeann until she's 5 years old, Reed said.

Teacher Joni Kearney, who worked for a year in the room across from Jodian's, said Monday that her former colleague is a strong, loving and compassionate person.

"I think it was just her knowledge of this profession and wanting the best for her children that made her shine through," said Kearney. "I admire her, and especially now."

Squire taught at Bethlehem Early Childhood Center in Encinitas for seven years before taking her position at Carlsbad Country Day.

"She has a knack for turning things around to a positive and makes us laugh, even with what she's going through," Kearney said.

For more information on the auction call (760) 804-0550.

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