TEACHER'S CORNER; PATRICIA SCHOTT IS A KINDERGARTEN TEACHER FOR KELSO C-7

NEW HAMBURG -- Patricia Schott says she enjoys teaching her kindergarten students at Kelso C-7 School in New Hamburg.

"Children at this young age are naturally adventuresome," Schott said. "They are enthusiastic about all aspects of their lives."

She has taught kindergarten at the school since 1979. She received her bachelor of science degree in elementary education in 1978 from Southeast Missouri State University.

Schott believes the greatest challenge in education "is to channel the students' natural spirit and enthusiasm into a love of learning that will continue during their school career.

"It is relatively easy during the early years, but it becomes more difficult and challenging as they grow older."

The most gratifying part of her job is in knowing that she has helped a child begin his education in a positive way.

"This was brought home to me recently when a mother stated that I had taught her three older children," Schott said. "She was glad that I would also be teaching her youngest in her first school experience."

Schott lives with her husband, Melvin, on a farm near New Hamburg. They have five daughters and one son, along with five grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, walking, working with flowers in her garden and taking pictures of the outdoors.

She is organist and a member of the choir at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg.