TEACHER'S CORNER: DEBRA NENNINGER TEACHES AT KELSO

Students are notorious for aging their teachers, but Debra Nenninger doesn't feel that way.

"Their enthusiasm for each new day is contagious," she said, "and that helps to keep me young."

Nenninger teaches students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades at Kelso C-7 School in New Hamburg. She has taught there for 16 years.

She received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University with certification in special education. She has completed 10 graduate hours.

"I enjoy working with kids," Nenninger said. "As far back as I can remember, I have wanted to be a teacher. I was influenced by my mom who was also a teacher.

"It's a challenge today to keep kids interested in school. I love to see the expression on their face when they have successfully completed a project or an experiment."

Nenninger likes teaching in a small school.

"It is like one big family," she said. "We get to interact with all of the students and watch them grow up. And I love it!"

Nenninger lives in Cape Girardeau with her husband, Chuck, and their son, Chip. In her spare time, she enjoys exercising with her son, reading and spending time with her family.

She also is an ice skating instructor at "The Ice" at Plaza Galleria.