R-2 DISTRICT HONORS FOUR RETIRING EMPLOYEES; REIMANN HARKENS BACK TO ONE-ROOM SCHOOL DAYS

From hauling water from a cistern to a one-room school house, to dealing with computers and the Internet, Shirley Reimann has experienced a full gauntlet of classroom experiences.

Reimann is one of four Jackson R-2 employees to retire this year. Her career has spanned 41 years, including the last 32 with the R-2 district. During that time, she has seen many education theories come and go -- and often come back again.

"It seems like education goes in cycles," Reimann said last week. "You get away from phonetic spelling, using whole-life reading. Then, before you know it, you're back to phonetics."

The phonetic approach to spelling has been a cornerstone of Reimann's career.

"Reading is so important," she said. "Each child must read. The more you read the smarter you will get."

A Delta native, Reimann attended Hannibal-LeGrange College for two years, then began her teaching career in 1958 at a one-room school house called Woodland School, near Hannibal and Palmyra.

"It was a one-room school with 11 children in all eight grades," she recalled. "I pumped and carried water from a cistern, to carry into the class for drinking and washing hands. There were outhouses in each corner for boys and girls. I built my own fires and swept the floors. I was in total charge. That was a big responsibility for a 20-year-old with two years of college."

A year later she moved back to Delta and taught there eight years (including two at the high school). She joined the R-2 district then, teaching second grade at the Pocahontas building until the new North Elementary was built, replacing the Pocahontas and Fruitland schools.

"This is home; I love my school," Reinmann said. "I have had great students, parents and teachers to work with. I like for my former students to return to school. Sometimes it's hard to remember them because they change so much."

Unlike many veteran educators, Reimann doesn't believe today's children are radically different than past generations.

"Kids are kids," she said. "I can't see that much difference in them."

What she does see in them has always been potential.

"I know there's a future leader in every class," she said. "I hope I have helped each child become the best they can. 'You can do and be anything you want to be' is the approach I've taken. The opportunities are there or all."

Reimann said she will miss teaching when she puts down her last piece of chalk this month.

"I've had such a fine bunch of students, friends, families and teachers to work with," she said. "Going to school has been part of my every day life. My own three children were in my second grade class at Pocahontas School.

"Teaching has been a very rewarding time of my life. I shall miss everyone I've worked with, but I'll keep them in my heart forever. I have great memories."