TEACHER'S CORNER: TEACHER MOM TO HER STUDENTS

Barbara Lohrmann occasionally gets confused for her students' mother, but this year the problem is even more common.

Lohrmann, a third-grade teacher at Cape Christian School, teaches her daughter Emily.

"A couple of times at the beginning of the school year, I would hear a voice call me `Mom' but that's not unusual anyway," Lohrmann said. "I usually just respond, `Yes, dear,' and then we both smile at the mistake."

Lohrmann's younger daughter, Riley, is just down the hallway in another classroom. "It really simplifies transportation before and after school. And they like the idea of me being right there."

Lohrmann likes to stay active in her classroom. Several years ago, she told the class that if they earned a 90 percent on their spelling tests, Lohrmann would do 100 jumping jacks.

"They were curious to see if their teacher could actually do this, so when they achieved the average, I fulfilled my end of the bargain," Lohrmann said.

She also does other fun activities, like "Race the Teacher." At the end of the week, each student with good behavior qualifies for a coupon. The coupon entitles the student to candy, soda, a seat by a friend or a race.

"It's always been a big event when the class gathers outside to witness their teacher actually running. It's great fun," Lohrmann said.

Teaching has been fun for Lohrmann ever since she was old enough to play school, she said.

Lohrmann has been a teacher for 14 years, 12 of them in public schools. She and her husband, Eric, have two daughters. They are members of Cape Bible Chapel.