Carolyn Jane Humphreys grew up with little, yet she capitalized upon what she had to transform the lives of countless Alaskans. A graduate of Emery and Henry College in Virginia, she went on to earn her Master of Science in Education as a Reading Specialist. This propelled her into a career as an elementary school teacher of more than 35 years. During that time, Carolyn Jane witnessed many young children caught in tenuous situations. At her core, she fundamentally believed everyone deserved a chance, and worked tirelessly to help children in need during her spare time. She spent most of her time as a reading specialist, focusing on children who had fallen behind. Instilling curiosity in her students was one of her primary objectives, so that they would learn to question and improve the world around them. Eventually, Carolyn Jane helped develop a federally-funded learning program that addressed cultural and literary barriers. Cornerstones of her work included honesty, listening first, and treating children and their families with respect. This legacy lives on at the heart of the Carolyn Jane Foundation.