FRUITLAND -- While Dan Stover's sixth-grade class at North Elementary School mostly adheres to the basics, he likes to plan a number of special activities to liven up the school year.

For example, Stover said, "Students researched and constructed a Chinese earth kiln. Then, in cooperation with the art teacher, used a potter's wheel to construct clay pots and figurines. We fired the pots in the kiln. They turned out great."

Other projects have included an equine day ("Students bring horses to school and teach lessons to the younger students on horse care and safety," he explained.) and cultural dinners ("When studying other cultures, students cook authentic dinners -- Chinese, Mexican, Italian.")

Stover has been teaching at North Elementary School in Fruitland, which is part of the Jackson school system, for 12 years. He is now serving as head teacher.

"Teaching in a small country school has been a very pleasant experience," he said. "I especially enjoy watching the students grow both physically and mentally as they progress through school."

The small school environment also gives Stover a chance to know his students and their parents well.

"Helping sixth-grade students become young adults is very rewarding," he said. "Sometimes students surprise themselves with their new-found self-discipline. I ask each student to challenge themselves to become a better person."

Students have a chance to make decisions. "Students, with guidance, are capable of making decisions about classroom activities that affect them. This enhances self-esteem and teaches good decision making," Stover said.

"If at the end of the year, a student can look back and say, `I'm a better person because of my education at North Elementary,' we have succeeded."

He and his wife Karen have two children, Andy, 14, and Shannon, 10. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Southeast Missouri State University.