NELL HOLCOMB TEACHER HONORED BY PEERS

You never know who might show up in Eva Wilson's fifth grade class at Nell Holcomb School. On Wednesday, it was a Civil War general.

The general was portrayed by Lee Ragland, who talked with Wilson's students about the war. Ragland, of Cape Girardeau, is a Civil War reenactor and came to class dressed in his military uniform, including sword and hat.

"We have been studying parts of the Civil War," Wilson said. "I think he makes it come to life. We do this kind of thing all the time. I think special guests and projects make learning so much more exciting."

Wilson's creativity in the classroom has earned her the top award of Missouri State Teachers Association's Southeast Missouri District. Tonight, she will receive the Meritorious Service Award. She will also be honored at the MSTA district teachers meeting Friday.

Nearly 4,000 teachers from 19 Southeast Missouri counties are expected to attend the annual teachers meeting at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau

Motivational speaker George Obermeier will talk with teachers in the morning. In the afternoon, teachers will attend small-group meetings for specific disciplines.

Wilson said special projects, like the Civil War visitor, make school exciting for the students and her. "That's what has kept me going." She has taught 27 years, 24 of those at Nell Holcomb.

"We baked bread earlier this year. We were studying single-celled animals, so we studied yeast."

Not an easy task considering Wilson has 36 fifth graders.

Nell Holcomb Superintendent David Fuemmeler said, "She provides students a lot of hands-on participation in the classroom. She has a large class, but she is able to keep them on task even with all the different activities and different environments. She is a pleasure to work with."

Fuemmeler said Wilson also has a very positive approach to teaching children. "She really demonstrates concern for her students. She tries very hard not to let them fail."

Wilson praises her students frequently, he said. She also stays in close contact with parents.

"That's not always the case with teachers. She's not an eight-to-four teacher. Lots of times she's in contact with parents after school to discuss the students. It cuts into her family time, but she really cares about her students," said Fuemmeler.

Wilson was nominated for the award by the Community Teachers Association at Nell Holcomb. She is a charter member of the group.

"The people here have been so supportive," she said. "I was pleased that they wanted to nominate me. Then when I won, I was very surprised and pleased."

Since the award has been announced, Wilson said she has received many notes from former students. "That has been very nice," she said.

It's not surprising. According to the nomination form prepared by her fellow teachers, "Mrs. Wilson also shows concern for students' emotional and physical needs. She has made dresses for graduation, bought clothing, chili supper tickets and school pictures when her students' parents were financially unable."

Also being honored at this year's teachers meeting are Outstanding CTA Leaders Arvella Tracy Gant of Dexter and Betty Sue Hensley of Potosi.

Wilson won the Outstanding CTA Leader award in 1985.

She has served on almost every committee in her school system. She served five years as chairman of the salary and welfare committee. She is active in the mentor teacher program, and the teacher training program at Southeast Missouri State University.

She has initiated participation, sponsored, and coached students in regional and state math contests, district writing achievement con~tests, and the super speller contest. Last year, she also added the computer Quiz Bowl competition.