TEACHER'S CORNER: DEFINING 'TYPICAL' DAY FOR TEACHERS ISN'T EASY TASK

Teresa Meyr hasn't had what she regards as a typical teaching career.

Meyr, who is in her sixth year as a Trinity Lutheran School teacher, has made many adjustments over the years. Unlike many elementary school teachers, she has never taught a classroom of the same grade for more than two years running. She has taught learning disabilities, physical education, second grade, third grade and fourth grade in her nine years as a teacher.

Also she interrupted her career for several years to stay home with her two children.

"After my first child was born, I felt it was important to be a stay-at-home mom until the children were ready to go to school," she said. "I was able to continue to do this even after the birth of our second child."

Despite her mobility, Meyr said it is gratifying for her to see a child grow in maturity and to feel good about themselves and their abilities. Helping students set personal goals and achieve good grades are also important factors to teachers, she said.

"These are the goals you always try to achieve with the children you teach," she said. "If I have helped them achieve their own personal goals, then I have accomplished what I feel I am there for, regardless of what position I might be teaching."