Friday, June 26, 2009
Former kindergarten teacher keeps track of 'superstar' class
Emily Paine Carter is columnist So Salem. You can contact her at 981-3430 or via e-mail.
Emily Paine Carter
Recent columns from Salem, Glenvar and western Roanoke County
"My Superstar Class," retired West Salem kindergarten teacher Barbara Oetgen called them.
Her enthusiasm for her 1996-97 students -- now Salem High School 2009 grads -- bubbled through voice-mail, visits and exclamation-point-peppered emails. (Eight others had moved or earned GEDs).
She has tracked these thirteen for 13 years. She credits living in Salem with keeping her informed about "all of their feats." (Via family members, friends, other teachers: liking a good story, we can be a chatty lot.)
"All 13 that are graduating are going to college," she bragged (one will work for a year beforehand). At least three-fourths of them are honor students, she figured.
Not content to sit on their kindergarten laurels, these bright stars distinguished themselves in athletics and character as well as academics. Over the years Barbara observed some of "her" kids witnessing to many at First United Methodist Church.
Beaming, she counted herself lucky to have watched them graduate: "To hear their names called for scholarships and awards, one after another!" She said she felt an overwhelming sense of pride for the students; thanks to "more reserved" husband Ron, she resisted a student-suggested cowbell.
She cited them as proof "that it takes a village to raise a child." ("Rearing," say Southerners.) She recalled the families' bonding during a Saturday field trip to Explore Park early in that school year -- and they "have stayed together as one super family."
Not wishing to imply that others weren't as special, she adds that she's had many superstars. No names, she said, lest she overlook someone ("your Caroline was one," she wisely told me).
She taught one more year. Continuing to appreciate "how special all children are," she worked in the school library for seven years ("heaven," she said). She also served as a court child-advocate until various surgeries intervened.
Nine of "her" grads gathered for reminiscing and a photo with their early mentor and forever-cheerleader. She also dug into her archives for the class-photo holiday-card from the West Salem PTA. (No small feat, this digging, since she and Ron have moved twice since 1997.)
Ebullient Barbara was thrilled to talk to students as 18-year-olds, not five-year-olds. She secured their addresses; she's eager for news of more accomplishments, more reunions, and college graduations.
She rejoices in seeing this class -- "as well as many others in Salem" -- become outstanding citizens.
