TEACHER'S CORNER: TEACHER CITES READING ASSET

Teresa Raines knows the value of reading.

"Reading opens up so many doors to children," Raines said.

"It makes me feel good when a child leaves my room at the end of a year, loving to read. Teaching children to read is very important to me."

Raines teaches first and second grade at St. Joseph School in Scott City. She has taught there for 11 years.

"I use computers with my class to make learning more fun and interesting," she said.

"It is great when you see a light come on in a child's eyes when they master a new skill."

Raines is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University where she received a bachelor's degree in education.

She is married to Mark Raines. They have two daughters, Erin, 9, and Amanda, 6.

In her spare time she enjoys reading, camping, volleyball and bowling.