A Teacher in the Making

Fond memories of my childhood include playing school. My desire to be a teacher came early in life. I remember setting up a classroom fully equipped with desks and a chalkboard. My mother's laundry baskets were turned over and neatly lined up in rows for desks. Dolls, sisters or willing friends were the students. I spent countless hours teaching everything from the ABC's to math and music.

Maren has expressed her desire to also become a school teacher. Recently she asked if I would help her set up a classroom. To make the school room complete we needed to purchase a whiteboard. She and I made a trip to a local toy store where we found just what we were looking for. I was slightly overwhelmed when I opened the large box and noticed several screws and pages of directions for assembling the easel. I knew it was going to take more time than the allotted 30 minutes. I expressed to her the need to be patient as I may not have it finished before the baby woke up from her nap. She anxiously replied, "But Mama, you must work quickly! I have left my students with a substitute and they need me to return!"

Maren has enjoyed hours of instructing in her new classroom. Her students, Emily and Ruthie, are quite attentive and are excelling because of their talented little teacher.