After our parents, our teachers are the most influential people to touch our lives.  It is through them that we learn to see the world, through them that we gain the ability to understand that world and through them that we obtain the ability to use our intelligence, imagination and talent.  They are the guides to the universe of knowledge, the pathfinders of our lives.
         There are many kinds of teachers from pre-school to graduate school teachers.   And they teach a range of subjects that is so large that it cannot be counted.  There are few more noble professions than that of teaching.  There are few more demanding and less well paid professions as that of teaching also.  It takes a commitment to helping others rather than to obtaining credit for yourself to be a good teacher.
         Training for teachers is long.  Indeed, it never ends.  A teacher must constantly learn and pass the knowledge so acquired on to others.
         The amount of training to first become a teacher depends upon what level of teaching one wishes to pursue.  All teachers require college degrees but the level of college training is again decided by the level at which the candidate wishes to teach.
MRS. RILEY 

          When I was in the third grade, I was taught by Mrs. Riley.  I remember her as a large woman with a broad smile and an infectious laugh.  I also remember her as a strict disciplinarian who would allow no disruption by misbehaving children.  Twice, I spent time standing in the corner with my face to the wall.  Discipline was necessary in a class of sixty students.
         It was from Mrs. Riley that we moved from picture books with large print to books with print over most of the page. It was with her than we learned long division.  It was Mrs. Riley who taught us about Europe and Africa and South America.  It was she from whom we advanced from the basic lessons taught us by Sister Maryann and Sister Miriam Edward.
         All of these years later, I remember all of my teachers including Mrs. Riley.  So does my younger brother who was taught by her too.

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