WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE A... (SECOND OF 10 PARTS)

Allison Wolz, 6, wants to be a teacher so she can spread a little knowledge and happiness.

"It's fun, and you can teach a lot of stuff," said the first-grader from Carol Reimann's class at Clippard Elementary School.

For the next two months, the Southeast Missourian, along with first-graders, is exploring occupations.

Allison admits she hasn't been exposed to many teachers yet because it's still early in her educational career. However, the ones she's known so far have known exactly what it takes to be a good teacher.

"They gave stamps out to people on their papers and put happy faces on their papers," she said.

Stamps and stickers are important tools of the trade, according to Allison. So are pencils and pens, and computers "to look up stuff."

Chairs, tables and desks come in handy, too, as does good penmanship, she said.

"You need good handwriting in case you need to copy something," she said. "A teacher has to know what she needs to give kids if they don't have it and what she needs to put on her desk."

Allison said teaching can be frustrating, especially when there is string that needs to be untangled or a lot of papers that have to be copied. However, she said she's prepared for the labor because "I like hard jobs."

Besides, classroom teachers "can hire helper teachers if things get too hard."

At 6, Allison thinks she's well on her way to being prepared for her future occupation. In fact, by the time she completes the sixth grade, she should have enough knowledge under her belt to be a good teacher.

Outstanding teachers, like Carol Reimann, who was last year's Missouri Teacher of the Year, can do the job in half the time.

"It probably only took her three years," said Allison. "If you're a special teacher, you could, like, get in the newspaper and things."