by Betty Shaw Lake
Whatever happened to twinkle toes? Good question. What better way to recall the last 50 plus years then going to the box that holds my life artifacts. Among these treasures I find pink ballet slippers and tutu's at the bottom carefully put there when in my senior year I decided to attend Culver Stockton College. Next is my graduation diploma from HHS, the class of' 51. I graduated with my friends although I had been at C.S. through all the fun part of being a senior. The next four years my artifacts accumulated and reminded me of college life, living in the sorority house and most important meeting the love of my life, Larry Lake. Tucking the C.S. diploma with a major in Biology carefully in my box of artifacts, I moved to St. Louis. Larry left for Germany to serve with Uncle Sam.
I found my first teaching contract and a purchase order for a new car. Each for the sum of $3000. Not a prosperous year. I went back to college to earn an elementary teaching certificate and taught third grade for five years.
Next item, my marriage licence dated August 11, 1956, with Berry Williams officiating at 5th Street Baptist Church in Hannibal.
1960 added another treasure, a birth announcement. Our daughter was born on October 21. Returning to the classroom, I taught English and Social Studies. Mr. Korf would be amazed. With all the papers to grade I decided to teach P .E. for a couple of years and be able to have free time in the evenings. During this time I was fortunate to also direct special programs. In 1976 the court order merger of two large school districts found me back to college for training in the necessary skills to help facilitate this merger. During this time I decided I need a master's degree. This I earned at Webster University.
In the fall of 1982 I was asked to coordinate a gifted/talented program. My dream comes true. Having the challenge of all these bright minds, it was back to school for courses in architecture, biotechnology, business and the Stock Market, just to name a few.
In 1982, I was honored as Outstanding Teacher of the year in recognition of exceptional achievement and service to children. Again in 1992, I was presented the Excellence in Education Award. 1993 was the beginning of a new adventure when the Army Corps of Engineers asked me to coordinate their wetland's Science program for honor students. During this time I was honored with several awards for my contributions to the Riverlands Project. My teaching career offered me many rewarding challenges and an opportunity to explore new areas and to grow professionally. In 1995 I again was honored for my contributions to education.
This year a major decision was made and I retired from full time education and we moved to St. Charles. During this time I was asked to be a resource educator for the United Nations. This took up much time for the next three years. Once again it was back to college to hone in on necessary skills.
Passports, photos, and souvenirs reminded me of the time luggage didn't land in Milan, hotel room robbed in Venice, mugged by three little gypsy girls in Rome, just to mention a few of the encounters during my stay in Italy. Fortunately my other travels were not such an adventure.
My most precious items are the birth announcements of my two grandchildren, now 13 and 10. During my educational endeavors, I found time to teach summer Bible School, serve as Girls Scout Leader and be active in my community. My life has been blessed with family and for this I am thankfulL
[AUTOBIOGRAPHY]