TEACHER'S CORNER: TECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR STARTS NEW POST IN CHAFFEE SCHOOLS

CHAFFEE -- Chaffee grants and technology coordinator Peggy Hitt has wanted to be an educator since she learned that teacher's editions have answers to the questions.

"I wanted that book," said Hitt, who previously taught third grade for seven years. "I truly enjoyed my years as an elementary teacher and now do miss the students and that daily contact."

Hitt is making the transition to working outside the classroom fairly well, she said, explaining that her job is gratifying because she is helping students to prepare for their technological futures.

"This is a brand new position in the district, and a new position for me, so I am starting from scratch," she said. "We will soon receive over $72,000 for computer equipment for our elementary school, and the students and staff are very appreciative of my work, which makes this very worthwhile."

Humor in the classroom is very important, said Hitt. Also, students, teachers and administrators need to have good relationships to improve the educational experiences of everyone involved.

One incident that helped her realize the importance of good relationships and humor involved a co-teaching experience with another teacher. After being distracted while performing an experiment that involved pouring water into pitchers, the two realized Hitt was pouring water up her colleague's sleeve. The two began to laugh and the students noticed.

"They didn't notice the water up her sleeve, but they did say 'You two seem to laugh a lot when you're together,'" Hitt said. "Humor in the classroom is very important to both of us, and we were gratified to hear that was the way the students viewed us."

Hitt is married and has a daughter. She enjoys reading and "junking" in her spare time. She is a member of the United Methodist Church in Advance, Missouri State Teachers Association, and is a past officer and member of the Community Teachers Association.