`I JUST LOVE YOUR WORLD. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN LIVING IN HERE?'

MARBLE HILL -- Cherlyn Parham works to make her classroom a fun place to learn. She didn't know how much students respond until earlier this year.

In the middle of an activity, one of her kindergarten students spread his arms wide, looked around the room and said, "I just love your world. How long you been living in here?"

This marks Parham's 13th year as a teacher. She's been teaching kindergarten for eight years.

One of her favorite activities is "Show and Tell" each Friday afternoon at Woodland School in Marble Hill. Children bring something of special interest to them, to share with the class. "Over the years we've seen a variety of pets, including a pygmy goat and a pot-bellied pig. We've felt fresh seaweed and animal hides and examined other interesting items of nature from many parts of the world," she said.

In her classroom, Parham also uses songs, rhymes and finger plays to help children learn new concepts and skills. During the holiday season, students prepare creative snacks such as "Silly Pumpkin Faces" and "Reindeer Sandwiches."

"I decided on a teaching career because I felt teaching would be an important way for me to be a part of a child's future by guiding and teaching skills that would help make him or her successful in life," said Parham.

She said teaching kindergarten heightens the enjoyment.

"It is especially gratifying in kindergarten to see how much each child matures through the year, not just educationally, but physically, emotionally and behaviorally," Parham said. "All the love that is in the daily hugs, special notes and pictures I receive make teaching young children very rewarding."

Parham is a graduate of Jackson High and of Southeast Missouri State University. Her husband Dennis is principal at Jackson Junior High School. They have two children, Megan, an eighth grader, and Josh, a fourth grader.

She is a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Woodland teachers organization and Parent-Teacher Organizations at Woodland and St. Paul Lutheran School.