TEACHER'S CORNER: SHIVELBINE'S CLASS HAS SECRET

Students in Kathy Shivelbine's sixth-grade class share a secret, but they don't mind telling most people what that secret is -- they are the best class at Clippard Elementary School.

"I have had the good fortune to have the best class every year I have taught," Shivelbine said. "I make sure my students know this, but we do try to keep it a secret from the other students and teachers so they don't get jealous."

Shivelbine has been teaching at the school for five years.

"I have been fortunate to work with children from all ability levels -- from profoundly handicapped students who were unable to speak or feed themselves to gifted students," she said. "I think this has given me a broader perspective and perhaps has made me a better teacher."

During her 11-year career, Shivelbine has taught mentally disabled students at the State School and in the Jackson and Cape Girardeau districts and in parochial schools. Every class has been with 11 to 13-year-olds, she said.

"I like that age because they are at such a crossroads," she said. "They are full of energy imagination and enthusiasm."

Last year, her students created an imaginary classmate named Bill. "I don't know who name him or how he came to be," Shivelbine said. "Bill was just part of the class. He got blamed for things and got credit for doing things right."

Bill was part of the class for about four months, Shivelbine said, adding that both she and the students had fun with their imaginary friend.

Shivelbine is a graduate of Notre Dame High School and Southeast Missouri State University. She has been a Girl Scout leader for nine years and is co-president of the Cape Central Band Parents organization. She is the student council sponsor at Clippard School.

She and her husband, Mike, have two children.