TEACHER'S CORNER: READING IMPORTANT FOR EARLY LEARNERS

LEOPOLD - Veteran first-grade teacher Deborah Bueter believes in the slogan "reading is fundamental." Bueter, who has spent all 22 years of her career at Leopold Elementary School, said parents should realize the importance of frequently reading to their children at home."My heart goes out to the children who struggle and work so hard to learn to read," she said. "As a classroom teacher of early readers, I know how much of an impact reading at home has on students. These are the children who are entering my classroom as readers."

Bueter uses the Electronic Bookshelf, a computer program, to enhance her reading curriculum. Students read the books on their own, then sixth-graders help read the book report questions that appear on the computer screen and teach the younger students how to use the computer, she said."All of the students benefit from the program," she said. "The older kids enjoy coming back to their old first grade room and being able to help others, and the younger kids learn how to read and comprehend what they've read. It's a buddy system that has worked out great for all of the students."An important philosophy for students and teachers to remember is that everyone makes mistakes, Bueter said. Children need to see that adults can make mistakes and admit when they are wrong. It's also important to keep the classroom atmosphere light-hearted so that school is enjoyable, she said."I never try to hide or cover-up mistakes I make in the classroom," Bueter said. "I also like to joke with the children, because I want them to enjoy school as well as take their work seriously."When she's not in the classroom, Bueter enjoys sharing ideas with fellow educators, reading, crocheting, and working in her flower and vegetable gardens. She also attends St. John's Catholic Church with her family or enjoys quality time on their farm with the cows, cats and dog.