TEACHER'S CORNER: SANDER TEACHES HISTORY AT HAWKINS IN JACKSON

JACKSON -- When Roland Sander isn't teaching American History at R.O. Hawkins Junior High in Jackson, he's usually working at Sander Nursery in Gordonville, which he and his family own.

"I became a teacher because I have always enjoyed working with young people," Sander said. "Seeing junior high students mature and become responsible citizens is very gratifying."

Sander has been a teacher for 30 years. He holds a bachelor degree in secondary education from Southeast Missouri State University.

"I have never been a textbook-oriented teacher; rather, I seek out other sources of information to supplement my instruction," he said. "I like to interject humor in my teaching."

Sander's wife, Sharon, teaches third grade at Orchard Drive in Jackson. They have three sons: Jonathan, who works at HWI in Cape Girardeau; Joel, a junior at Jackson High School; and David, a fifth grader at St. Paul Lutheran in Jackson.

"Sometime during my first year of teaching, I taught a lesson dealing with filibustering," Sander said. "When I walked into the classroom the next day, a young man was standing in front of the class speaking earnestly to his attentive classmates.

"I tried unsuccessfully for several minutes to get him to sit down," he continued. "When he finally gave up, the class explained to their red-faced teacher that they understood how to filibuster."

Sander belongs to the Christ Lutheran Church in Gordonville, the Jackson Community Teachers Association, the Riverside Regional Library Board and has worked with the Boy Scouts and 4-H clubs.

When Sander is not at his nursery, he can be found travelling with his family, fishing, and working with cattle on his mother-in-law's farm.

"Since that first year of teaching, there have been many memorable experiences and students," Sander said. "I could write a book!"