Hello, everyone! My name is Janet Gross and I teach first grade at Love Memorial Elementary School in Lincoln County. I have been at the same school for almost 20 years, six as an assistant in Kindergarten and the rest teaching first. I took the assistant’s job in March of the school year when the other assistant moved away. I told my mom, “I can do anything for three months!” Well, as you see I was hooked. I finished my bachelor’s degree at Lenior-Rhyne College in 1996 in elementary education. My experiences in a Title I school have been great. The students are needy and appreciative of what you do for them.
My own education began in Orlando Florida, where I was born and lived until I was 7 years old. We moved to North Carolina to be close to family. I cannot remember not being able to read. It came easily and I enjoyed every minute I could get with a good book. Summers were replete with trips to the public library, bringing home stacks of books. I loved school too. It was my social outlet. My fourth grade teacher did not think it should be and I spent a lot of time writing “silence is golden” over and over again. It didn’t help though!
Teaching reading is the best part of my job. It’s what excites me and motivates me to press forward when paper work is burying me! I love the kids and they keep my young at heart.
Janet Gross