Jane Woods Hodge, eventually to be recognized as “Janie” Hodge, graduated from Shortridge High School in 1951 and went on to earn her undergraduate degree from Indiana University in Music and then earned a Master’s degree from Butler University in 1958.
Janie taught music in Indianapolis Public Schools and for two years in North Bergen, New Jersey. In the early 1960’s she headed to Hagerstown, Maryland as part of a Ford Foundation Experimental program teaching music which lead to her appearance in a Ford Foundation movie about educational programs.
Summer of 1962 saw Hodge move to Milwaukee where she was “Miss Romper Room” on the CBS affiliate every morning. She was also involved with Milwaukee schools as a music supervisor and on-air teacher. A year later, 1963, Janie headed to Indianapolis.
She was a summer replacement for June Ford working a daily magazine program with Stan Wood. In August that year she began the “Popeye and Janie” show at Channel 4. The Monday-Friday show aired from 4:30-6 and went until 1972. It featured cartoons, guests, and features from various locations such as the Zoo, Children’s Museum, Circus and strong connections with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. It was with ISO Janie helped establish “LolliPop” concerts providing knowledge about music for children. The show moved to mornings, 7-9 a.m., in 1972 and ran until 1986.
In 1986, Janie returned to teaching music in Indianapolis Public Schools wrapping up her teaching career in 1998. During that time she was recognized as the “Teacher of the Year”, earned the “ABCD” award (Above and Beyond Call of Duty) for taking students to the library and getting them library cards and materials which was a first for many of these students.
Janie could also be seen downtown Indy and at nursing homes with her school choir performing along with her folk dance group performing every spring at the Convention Center. She wrapped up her on-air and teaching career in 1998 leaving behind students and parents who followed her work and guidance.