I don't remember how I learned to read. I don't recall any books my

parents read to me, or very much about my early childhood, besides

moving around a lot. My dad was in the Army, and we lived in Ohio, New

Jersey, Arizona, and Tennessee all before I was old enough to attend school.

When I asked my mother what types of things she read to me when I was

little, she said mostly nursery rhymes and "Little Golden Books."

I do have memories of sitting at the table and pretending that I could write

in cursive, and of watching Capt. Kangaroo. I impressed my parents by

learning the Pledge to the American Flag by the age of two.

When we finally settled in Tennessee, I was old enough to go to

Kindergarten, but that was not offered in the county where I lived, so a year

later I started First Grade.

I have fond memories of First Grade. This is where I realized that I

wanted to be a teacher. My mother has a school memories book, where she

kept pictures, grade cards and other school related items. Every year had an

interview section with such questions as, "What is your favorite subject,"

and "What do you want to be when you grow up?" My answers to the two

of those were always the same; My favorite subject was reading, and I

wanted to be a teacher.

I fell in love with school the first day that I walked in to East LaFollette

Elementary. I don't think it was any one thing that had me interested, it was

the impact of the whole atmosphere. I especially remember my teacher. She

was such a kind, gentle, smart lady and I wanted to be just like her. One

incident in particular comes to mind when I think of Miss Teague. One day

a boy in our class had no money, and it was ice cream day. It made such an

impression on me when our teacher, not only bought his ice cream, but let

him sit on her lap as we had snack time. It didn't matter to her that he was

dirty and poor, or if any of us were. She treated each child with the same

respect and care as she did the other.

Another thing I remember was reading the "Alice and Jerry" books. I

managed to salvage an old set from a county I taught in. My little daughter

now loves to read them and look at the lovely art work. She and I often share

time together reading them and talking about the pictures.

School is such an important part of my life, I can't imagine having any

other career. Every Fall I look forward to the first day of school with great

anticipation. I love the sounds of a busy classroom, the sight of eager faces,

and even that unidentifiable "school smell."

Of course, by the last day of school I am ready, too, to say farewell to

the same group I welcomed almost ten months earlier, waving them good-

bye with a wish and a prayer, that I have made a difference to at least one of

them during the year.