TEACHER USES COOKIE CUTTERS, TOYS, BOOKS WHATEVER WORKS FOR STUDENTS

JACKSON -- To prepare for a unit on dinosaurs, Jan Guth collected some dinosaur cookie cutters, toy dinosaurs, articles and books about dinosaurs. In fact, she has a huge box of dinosaur paraphernalia.

Guth says she'll use whatever she can to help introduce a subject to her students at West Lane Elementary School in Jackson. Guth teaches children with learning disabilities. This marks her sixth year teaching at Jackson.

"In my class a hands-on technique is required for most of my students to understand or grasp the meaning of the objective being taught," Guth said. "I try to use the three means of learning -- visual, auditory and kinesthetic -- in presenting or reviewing information.

She has 18 students she sees throughout the day.

"I begin teaching the course at the level they are capable of succeeding and work up from there. The children who come to me for resource or tutorial help bring their assignments from the regular classroom. We review the objective and work on the assignment. Sometimes just presenting the material in a little different way will help the child understand the concept.

"When I find a technique that works for a student I am elated. The student starts to succeed and believe in himself. When they think they can succeed they do succeed."

Guth said she decided to become a teacher because several of her relatives are teachers and because some of her own teachers served as role models.

"After working as a teacher's aide for a period of time in a LD (learning disabilities) class, I completed my degree in elementary education and learning disabilities at SEMO," she said.

"Also, I've always enjoyed reading and working with children. After working as an aide in a LD room, I knew I wanted to specialize in that area of teaching.

"Children add color and zest to my life. My days are never the same and never boring."

Guth said teaching can be rewarding. "Seeing a child's face light up when they finally understand something we have been working on or when they do well on a test is very gratifying," she said. "Also, seeing a student years later and hearing about their success at school or on the job is uplifting."

Guth and her husband Charles have a son Craig and a daughter Tracy. They are members of St. Andrew Lutheran Church. She is also a member and corresponding secretary of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She is vice president of the Tuesday Club GFWC, the Community Teachers Association and the Missouri State Teachers Association.