Live music filled the wedding hall as the orchestra started to play at CHS9 business teacher, CTE department head and DECA sponsor. David Janeski’s wedding. Every musician was a former student of his wife, Darlene Janeski, a band director for 29 years in Arlington ISD and Keller ISD.
Seeing the impact his wife had on her students, he was inspired to become a teacher. That moment changed his life and 18 years later, Janeski is a teacher at Coppell High School Ninth Grade Campus.
Even though his wife retired as an educator, she remains a role model to Janeski, inspiring him to make his own impact.
“She is such an inspiration to me, because she loved her students so much,” Janeski said. ”God opened a great door for me. I saw the difference she made in others’ lives and I wanted to do the same.”
However, teaching was not his beginning, Janeski worked for 25 years in the corporate world.
Prior to joining CHS9, Janeski taught at Fossil Ridge High School in Keller ISD. There, he taught sports marketing, management and business law, advised a student-run store and helped make weekly announcements.
Janeski impacts students even past graduation, and many continue to reach out for advice and life updates. One returned to share his first published book of poetry, another came by to ask about setting up a retirement account and a reunion at the gym that became about careers.
“I’m blessed to be a teacher, I love my job,” Janeski said. “It is really cool that kids still reach out to me after graduating and it means so much to me.”
Janeski moved to CHS9 to grow as a teacher and have a change.
“I wanted to see teaching from a different lens,” Janeski said. “I was making myself better, developing myself as an educator and putting myself in someone else’s shoes. That is a good lesson for anybody.”
For Janeski, teaching is much more than lesson plans and tests. He wants to teach his classroom the importance of investing, saving, integrity, growth and finding purpose.
“Teaching is not about lesson planning, it is about life planning,” Janeski said.
Janeski focuses on growth and character, values his father embedded in him in his childhood.
“My dad taught us, success is not how much money you make, but learning to be content with where you are at that stage of life,” Janeski said.
Students find Janeski’s calm and approachable manner makes his class a place of comfort and support.
“He’s very nice, easygoing and relaxed,” said CHS9 student Ria Mavalli, who is in Janeski’s business information management class. ”He lets us sit wherever we want and whenever we ask a question he never shows any judgement, he also gives us breaks whenever we need them.”
Janeski wants students to leave his class with not only business knowledge but integrity.
”Character is who you are when no one is watching,” Janeski said. “If you cannot find good in the world, maybe you need to be the good.”
As CHS9 CTE department head, Janeski said his job is made easier by the people he works with.
”The people I work with are extraordinary educators,” Janeski said. “They are generous with their time and always willing to help their peers and students.”
English teacher Christopher Arney said Janeski’s positive and welcoming outlook influences the whole campus.
“He treats everyone the same, no matter who they are,” Arney said. “He is always upbeat and finds the silver lining in any situation.”
After almost two decades of teaching, Janeski continues with one purpose: to make a difference.
“Success isn’t salary, it is waking up realizing you have a purpose,” Janeski said. “I can lay down at night with a heart full of gratitude because it was another day where I could make a difference in inspiring other people.”
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