TEACHER'S CORNER: CAROL GLUECK IS ALL `BUSINESS'

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Carol Glueck's students at Notre Dame High School know that she means business.

That includes her classes in accounting, typewriting and computer applications in business.

Glueck decided to become a teacher because of her own school experience.

"I had some very caring teachers, and I wanted to do the same for others," she said. "I remember thinking it would be neat to teach the things I know and enjoy."

Glueck graduated from Notre Dame in 1969. She received her bachelor of science degree in secondary education in 1973 from Southeast Missouri State University. She also received her master of arts degree in teaching from Southeast in 1976.

She has taught 15 of the last 16 years at Notre Dame, where she is the moderator of the school's chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America.

Glueck feels the greatest challenge in education today is keeping students motivated enough to challenge themselves.

"I find that students are very capable of achieving high standards," she said, "but they are willing to settle for less if it involves more work.

"It is also a big challenge to keep up with technology in our world. Since I am in the business education field, it is ever more demanding to keep current on the trends in business.

Of gratification from teaching, Glueck said: "It's the satisfaction in knowing that eventually students realize that teachers do play an important part in their lives, even though they don't realize it at the time.

"I have many students who come back after they have graduated and thank me for helping them during high school. Some keep me posted on what they are doing. It's a great feeling to know they do appreciate you."

Glueck says most of her memorable experiences have been helping individual students progress from day to day.

"At the beginning of the year in typing class, for instance, I always have a few who `just know' they will never learn to type," she said. "With a little encouragement, they see their progress day to day."

The subjects Glueck teaches are very practical, and students usually see their uses in their everyday lives, or in the very near future.

"One year I taught business math," she said. "A student announced in class that everyone should take business math because that is the kind of math everyone will use as a consumer and on the job."

Glueck takes students to business contests and on FBLA trips.

"I get to know the students better then, and I enjoy them in a different atmosphere," she said.

"I also enjoy watching the students play in all of our school sports. It's a good feeling to know that they appreciate you being at a game because school spirit also carries over to the classroom."

Glueck lives with her husband, Tony, who is an auto mechanic and teaches adult education at the Cape Girardeau Vocational Technical School.

They have two children; Joshua, 13, and Jennifer, 10. Both attend St. Vincent de Paul Grade School.

Glueck's hobbies and interests include bike riding, helping with scouts, and attending her children's soccer, basketball, baseball and softball games.