TEACHER'S CORNER: DELTA ART TEACHER'S CLASSES HAVE LOTS OF MESSES

The classrooms where Roy Hartle teaches at Delta R-5 Elementary School and High School are unique from others.

"It's quite messy," Hartle said.

That's because Hartle teaches art.

"We have lots of spills, thus a lot of messes to clean up," he said.

Hartle teaches art to students in kindergarten through 12th grade at Delta, where he has taught for 15 years.

A graduate of Perryville High School, Hartle has a bachelor's degree plus 40 hours of graduate work from Southeast Missouri State University.

"I have always enjoyed art, and teaching art to children has become very gratifying," Hartle said.

"I like to see the children's faces beam with enthusiasm when they create with clay, paints and other materials.

"My teaching duties allow me a great deal of versatility, which makes my job interesting and challenging."

Hartle remembers one time when a junior high student reached for a jar of paint that was on a top shelf.

"The lid wasn't tightened," he said. "When it fell on her head, the paint covered her face and clothing.

"Fortunately, the paint washed off and she found the incident to be amusing, as did the rest of us in the class."

When the weather is appropriate, Hartle takes his classes outdoors to make drawings.

"Students really enjoy this activity," he said, "and they gain the experience of doing art work directly from nature."

Hartle and his wife, Selena, have been married for 23 years. They have two sons, Roy Jr., 20, and Greg, 11.

Hartle's interests include playing golf, bowling and participating in craft shows with his wife.