I think I can! I think I can!

Whileartfully sharing her gifts as a primary teacher, S. Jane Geggalso findsherself challenged to learn Spanish and to understand theculture of herstudents. Jane is a first-grade teacher at Holy RosaryCatholic Schoolin Fairmont City, a small settlement in south centralIllinois whereseveral Mexican families from California and Mexico havemigratedseeking employment.

"I like the work I am doing at Holy Rosarybecause I am helpingchildren who are simply eager to learn," says Jane."These students arespecial to me; and although I see them struggledaily, I also see thatfaith and persistency prevail. And, that isrewarding."

Many of the adults in Fairmont City work in a nearbyfactory, at alocal greenhouse or at a metal shredder, while some owntheir own smallbusinesses in town, such as a restaurant or Mexicangrocery store.Regardless, the majority of the jobs are low-paying,entry-levelpositions which require long hours but offer no benefits.

"TheSpanish Community is a very faithful one," says Jane. "However,in thistown that is rich in faith but lacks financial resources, mostparentswork six or seven days per week which limits the time they areable tospend at home with their children."

Parents can send theirchildren to Holy Rosary School or bus them toneighboring towns, such asE. St. Louis or Collinsville. Holy Rosaryhas approximately 100 studentsgrades K-8 the majority of whom areMexican with a small mix ofAfrican-American and Caucasian. With theexception of a few inkindergarten, most of the students speak English;however, several ofthe parents do not.

"Although this community is close-knit withmany families sharingtheir homes with extended family members, one ofmy challenges in theclass room is teaching peace-keeping skills," saysJane. "Most of ourfamilies are lower income and several aredysfunctional," she says. "Inaddition to peace-keeping skills, I teachconflict management."

Jane also feels it is important tointroduce children to variouscultures. She involves them in activitieswhich stimulate theirthinking and teach them about the ethnicity ofothers while recognizingtheir own culture and traditions.

"Asidefrom math, spelling and other areas I try to address on aday-to-daybasis religion, respect, cooperation and listening skills,"says Jane.