INTERNET AT KELLY BRINGS WORLD TO BENTON SCHOOLS

BENTON -- When Reatha Paul tells her students the world is within their reach -- she literally means it.

With connections to the Internet, her students can travel the world with the help of a computer and modem.

Paul teaches computer technology and business classes at Kelly High School in Benton.

"Having the Internet available for doing research papers and other projects has given the students more materials to access and I think has made research more fun," Paul said. "Hopefully, through using the computer to do this they have gained some technical knowledge along the way."

But teaching high school computer classes isn't all that Paul does. She also teaches accounting, computer business and operations and adult education classes at the school. She has been teaching for 18 years.

In those 18 years at Kelly schools, the most gratifying part of her job has been to see someone who was uncomfortable using a computer become a frequent user, she said.

But the computers and technology do provide a challenge.

"Working with both the human element and machines can be quite trying," Paul said. "We have a very new lab and have added to it through the year. Being flexible when the equipment has problems and the students are still waiting, involves changing the game plan often."

Paul, her husband, Tony, and their two daughters live in New Hamburg. Her hobbies include counted cross-stitch and "surfing the 'net."

She is a member of the Missouri Vocational Association, Missouri Business Education Association, Community Teachers Association and Southeast Technology Association.