• Excellent educators

    St. Louis American

    Posted: Thursday, August 30, 2012 12:05 am

    By American staff St. Louis American | 

    Earnestine Carr: joy in little things

    Gateway Middle School teacher Earnestine Carr has taught children with learning disabilities and behavioral disorders in St. Louis Public Schools for 35 years. Currently, she helps children with autism reach their learning potential in math and social sciences. With each student having a different learning style, it’s a challenge with rewards.
     

    “A lot of times, it’s the little bittiest things – it just gives me joy,” Carr said. “With autistic kids, you never know what to expect – the little bittiest things that we take for granted – it’s a big thing for them, and it’s just amazing. I love it.”

     

    Carr earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Harris Teachers College and an Associates degree in Liberal Arts from Forest Park Community College in St. Louis.

     

    Doretta Walker: a community endeavor

    Before Doretta A. Walker retired in June 2010, she dedicated 39 years of service to the St. Louis Public School system. Walker served as administrative coordinator for the Supplemental Educational Services of SLPS. She was also coordinator for the school system's Parent Support Specialist Liaisons.

     

    She still volunteers once a month with SLPS. She loves to work with children and vows never to give up on them.

     

    She advises her students, “There's no such thing as ‘I can't learn.’ You drop the ‘t’ and you can.”

    She believes spiritual training is as essential as academic learning. She says the church and schools must work together to ensure that all children receive quality education.

    "It takes a village to raise a kid," Walker said. "Education of children must be a community endeavor."