TEACHER'S CORNER: PROFESSION KEEPS TEACHER IN CLASS

When Delvin G. Meyr was a boy living on his family's farm, he found reading books to be a lot more enjoyable than doing his chores.

"It was difficult to find time to read, yet I remember I wanted to read books," Meyr said. So when he got an opportunity to attend college, he took it and became a teacher where he could remain close to books.

Meyr has been teaching 29 years. He teaches fifth grade at Trinity Lutheran School in Cape Girardeau.

"I always enjoyed the life of a student at school," Meyr said. Becoming a teacher is a dream come true. "I could continue to go to school and at the same time help children learn the academics as well as help them grow in their faith in Jesus Christ."

Students in his classroom make models of the United States and calculate the scale needed to arrange the planets across the classroom. They use a college-bowl-type competition to review for tests.

Meyr also has taught in Jefferson City and Arnold, Mo., and in Little Rock and Mountain Home, Ark. He has serves as teacher, adult Bible-class teacher, coach, athletic director, Sunday school teacher, vacation Bible school director, director of education, principal, youth director and bus driver.

His wife, Dorothy, teaches fourth grade at Trinity and is the music and choir director at the church and school. They have five children; two are teachers.

After 29 years of teaching, Meyr is still enthusiastic about the job.

He said, "Sometimes it can be the simple son of praise sung by children to God at the end of a hard day that makes it gratifying to be a teacher. All is forgiven. Let's prepare for tomorrow."