TEACHER'S CORNER: MEET JACKIE KURRE, TEACHER OF SECOND GRADE AT OAK RIDGE

Jackie Kurre remembers her experience in a one-room school for her elementary education.

"It was called Critesville," Kurre said, "and was located near Daisy. And yes, I walked 1 miles to school!"

Kurre's fourth grade teacher, 19 years old with "one-quarter of college" under her belt, impressed her by beginning a PTA, instituting a hot lunch program, directing Christmas programs and community plays.

"She invited me to her home and let me help her grade papers," Kurre said. "I thought it was marvelous, and I wanted to be a part of it."

Kurre teaches second grade at Oak Ridge R-6 Elementary School which she has done for the last five years. She has also taught kindergarten for four years and first grade for 17 years at Oak Ridge.

She has received bachelor's and master's degrees in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University.

Observing children over the years has made Kurre aware of changes.

"The children of today are much more involved," she said.

"They play tee-ball, enroll in special classes of interest, but seem to need to talk more.

"Many parents work outside the home and are sometimes too tired to listen. I always tell my students to tell their parents what they learned in school today. My students say that their parents never ask. So I say, tell them anyway!"

She has found that most parents and grandparents are supportive of their student and the school.

"I have always believed that if we are honest with ourselves," she said, "we know exactly what our children are like, and how they behave, and what they are capable of doing."

Kurre is committed to the basics: reading, writing and math.

"Students have so much to learn these days," she said, "and are being asked to learn it at a younger age.

"Much material I teach to my second graders I was not exposed to until fourth or fifth grade.

"Students are under a lot of pressure to prepare for a future of technology. It's my job to make it a world without stress as much as possible."

At least once a year, Kurre and her class have a reading party.

"Each child chooses a favorite storybook to share with the class and practices reading it until he can read with `gusto.'

"On the big day, everyone brings a pillow or a blanket and a snack. We scoot the desks to the outer edges, pile down on our pillows and blankets and munch away as we listen to the reader enchant us.

"The reader is privileged to sit in the teacher's chair, a bean bag. We don't get any paperwork done that day, but we surely do have fun reading!"

Kurre remembers when teaching kindergarten many years ago that the class was reviewing the seasons of the year.

"The class remembered summer, winter, and spring, but couldn't recall the fourth season," she said.

"Finally, one little girl, who had several older brothers, timidly raised her hand and questioned, `Hunting?'"

Kurre lives with her husband, Bill, who is a carpenter and farmer. They have two sons, Joel and Wesley, and a daughter, Anne. They have two grandchildren.

Her interests include reading, crocheting and embroidery, and playing the piano. She is the pianist at New Salem United Methodist Church. She is also a member of the Lamplighters extension club and serves as songleader.