TEACHER'S CORNER: JUDY SHARP TEACHES VOCAL, INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC AT OAK RIDGE

For Judy Sharp, bigger isn't always better.

Sharp began her teaching career at Oak Ridge R-6 School in 1970.

"After two years, I decided to move on to a `bigger and better' place," she said.

"After several other jobs, I came to realize that bigger isn't always better, and to create a `better,' you must do it yourself."

So she applied again at Oak Ridge when an opening occurred.

"I was happy to return to my first school," she said, "but what a shock it was to see that the darling kids I had left behind in first and second grade were now juniors and seniors in high school!

"It sure made me aware of how fast time flies, and how little time we really have to teach all the things that we need to teach."

Sharp has taught vocal and instrumental music at Oak Ridge for the past 10 years. Her duties include fifth and sixth grade music, elementary band, junior high vocal and band, and senior high choir and band.

She received a bachelor's degree in music education at Southeast Missouri State University.

"I come from a background promoting education," Sharp said.

"My father was a teacher and administrator for 38 years. In college, I remember telling my roommate that I couldn't wait to teach, and that I would even do it for free.

"Recently, my superintendent asked if he could hold me to that statement!"

On occasion, Sharp directs the high school band at the Show Me Center where the band "fills in" at Southeast Missouri State University basketball games when the university band is not available.

"Teaching has its ups and downs, like any other job," she said, "but I'd rather be working with young people than any other group I can think of. They are lively, fun and always full of surprises.

"While I love teaching band and music, I feel the most important things to teach are a student's desire to be the best they can be in any area, and to never give up.

"I am able to work with students from the fifth grade through high school graduation, so I see them turn from children to young adults.

"My ultimate goal is not teaching students music, but rather teaching them to be reliable and responsible adults."

Sharp lives in Cape Girardeau with her husband, Ralph, who is manager of Tobacco Lane at West Park Mall. They have four children.

Their son, Todd, 19, is stationed with the Navy ship USS Independence in Japan. Jennifer, 16, is a junior at Cape Central High School; Samantha, 10, attends Charles C. Clippard Elementary School, and Erynn, 3, is at home.

Sharp also works in music with children aged 2 to 6 at Cape Bible Chapel where she also is church pianist.