TEACHER'S CORNER: MEET GALE KING, WHO TEACHES FIRST GRADE IN JACKSON SCHOOL DISTRICT

JACKSON - As a first grade teacher at Orchard Drive Elementary School in Jackson, Gale King can make a rare claim.

Last year she taught the granddaughter of one of her former students.

An explanation of her 27-year career is needed, however.

"I taught home economics at Oak Ridge High School several years ago," King said. "I've had the privilege of teaching children of my high school students, even a granddaughter of one of them.

"After that, I taught kindergarten at Perryville, and then at Independence."

King was graduated from Puxico High School and received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

She has done graduate work at Southeast Missouri State University, Central Missouri State, and the University of Missouri at Kansas City and Columbia.

King says she entered education because she thoroughly enjoys teaching.

"It is exciting to watch as children grow and develop in self confidence as they use skills I have presented in the classroom," King said.

"It is a source of self-fulfillment to know that I have helped children grow and develop their potential in acquiring skills and competencies they will use throughout their lives.

"Teaching is also very rewarding to me because of the many great parents I've worked with over the years. I especially value the friends I've made with fellow teachers and other school personnel."

King believes the greatest challenge in the public educational system today is securing adequate funding to help educators meet the needs in the classroom.

"As a teacher, I am frustrated almost daily because of the lack of time to help each child with individual needs," she said. "More teachers are needed to lower the student to teacher ratio."

King lives with her husband, Gail, who is an agriculture consultant for a local bank. They have three children. Sue is a junior high music teacher, Kathryn is in business and Scott is a veterinarian.