TEACHER'S CORNER: JACKSON TEACHER WANTS PUPILS TO FEEL IMPORTANT

As a teacher, Mary E. Morton wants her students to feel that they are important.

She teaches second grade at the Orchard Drive Elementary School in Jackson.

"Children are aware of so many ugly things in our world today that they can't change," Morton said.

"I feel it is very important for me to help them take the time to see and enjoy the beauty of the natural world around them; to take time to marvel at the tiny ant, watch a busy bee, plant a seed, smell a flower or watch a bird in flight.

"I want to help them feel that they have an important role to play in the order of things."

Morton grew up surrounded by people who enjoyed teaching: a grandfather, a great aunt, four aunts, an uncle and several cousins.

"I enjoyed working with children in Sunday School and Bible School, so I decided to try it full time," Morton said.

She has a bachelor of science degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University.

Morton takes her students outdoors in the fall.

"We go prospecting for insects," she said. "We carefully examine our finds and try to determine friend or foe.

"The students do a lot of research. I'm sure sometimes that we have a budding entomologist in our midst."

Morton's students enjoy using the newspaper in the classroom and talking about current events.

"We have a lot of class discussion of problems that we think are important," she said. "Everybody has an opportunity to express themselves.

"Good citizenship starts early. We talk about how great people start being great when they are young."

Morton wants her students to know how important reading is.

"I read a little to my students every chance I get," she said, "whether it's a little poem, a riddle, a news article or an interesting fact about something we are studying."

Almost yearly, Morton's class has a rummage sale. "The students clean out their toy chest and bring a sack of things that they no longer want," Morton said.

"They sell them to their classmates. We use paper coins and bills like our own U.S. currency. By the time the inventory runs out, most of the class is well-versed in counting money, making change and in `buyer beware.'"

A favorite story for the class is "The Rabbit and the Turnip."

"After the story, we share the biggest turnip I can find," Morton said. "Many nibble and learn to enjoy the tangy turnip.

"Last year, on their request, we had several turnip sharing episodes. Later, I noticed sliced turnips appearing in several little lunches."

Morton lives in Jackson with her husband, Robert James Morton. They have two children, Michael Morton and Sherrie Troxel, and three grandchildren.

Her interests include reading, decorating, flower arranging, crafts, ecology, plants and birds. She is also a member of the Jackson Trail Riders.