Delphi Community Elementary School has lost a first grade teacher, Grace Youngberg, to retirement. With the end of the school year, she concluded a 33-year teaching career with plans to begin a new, yet undefined career.

Reflecting on her years as a teacher, Youngberg said, "Teaching has been a passion of mine. It was my main focus for many years. I wanted the children to learn to read and learn about the world so that they could become and do anything they wanted in life."

"As a teacher, it was a learning experience for me, too," she said. "You gain the most experience by being in the classroom. The children helped me to see the world through their eyes everyday. Even though the method of teaching reading and math has changed over the years, educators are striving to find the best way for children to learn."

Youngberg explained that one of the biggest changes she has seen in teaching came when the state downsized the classroom for the lower grades.

"The children were able to receive more individual help," she said. "That is especially needed at the lower grades. That has now changed back to larger class sizes and it is more stressful on the teachers and children. Also, the state has standards that we need to teach the children at a younger age than when I first started. This, too, has caused more stress on the children and teachers to try to achieve higher goals and accomplishments.

"It has always been my goal for everyone to improve throughout the year. Now the state wants all children to achieve a 'passing' goal without considering their individual circumstances. Stress on achieving seems to be higher than ever."

Youngberg is quick to add that there have been many rewards.

"One of which is when I see a child who has struggled with learning to read, one day pick up a certain book and begin to read. A light goes on and says 'I get it. I can read.'

"Another is when the kids do not give up on trying to learn a new concept."

"Teaching has always been rewarding," Youngberg said. "I will miss many parts of it."

Youngberg is a native of Delphi who resides in Monticello. She graduated from Delphi Community High School in 1972 and earned her undergraduate degree in 1976 from the School of the Ozarks.

She has taught not only first grade but second grade, readiness and art.

"As I retire from teaching at Delphi, I plan to work at home and with other people," she said. "I hope to find a different career that helps people. God seems to be leading me in a totally different direction from the classroom. I am looking to Him for his guidance.

"The possibilities are endless and open at this point in time. Life is an adventure and we never know where it might lead us. So I am planning to have a great adventure!"