TEACHER'S CORNER: CHAFFEE PRESCHOOL TEACHER FULFILLS DREAM

CHAFFEE -- Laurie Markham has been fulfilling her life's dream of being a teacher for 13 years. The Southeast Missouri State University graduate has worked 11 years as a preschool teacher in Cape Girardeau, and for the last two years has been a kindergarten teacher at St. Ambrose School in Chaffee.

Markham said teaching kindergarten is a job full of excitement, adventure and laughter. Mishaps that make the school years memorable often happen each day, she said.

"Humor is a valuable tool to have when working children," she said. "It also helps to be a kid at heart."

Markham believes family backgrounds can make children very different and bring a challenge to teaching. The toughest challenge Markham has faced was breaking a language barrier when she taught a child whose first language was German. Luckily, she had the help of a teacher's aide who had lived in Germany, and they were able to work with the child.

Other people also have provided Markham with help over the years. Her parents have often given her educational toys to help her make learning fun for her students. "My mom knits animals to illustrate stories and songs. My dad has made a wooden clock to teach children how to tell time, and he also makes puzzles to aid the children's coordination."

Markham said her main objective in teaching is to provide a secure and loving environment and to help her children know that school can be fun. "I want my kindergartners to have a positive first experience in school," she said. "The class might stop in the middle of reading or math and one child will say, "I just love coming to school!" This indeed is my daily reward."