THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 3, 1995 TAG: 9509010206
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Rebecca Myers
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
After nearly three decades of teaching 5-year-olds their ABCs and 1-2-3s, some might think that Geneva ``Inez'' Fletcher is ready to trade in her chalk for the tranquility of retirement.
Not so, says the 69-year-old kindergarten teacher.
``When I walk into the classroom, it's like going on vacation, I enjoy these children so much. I can't wait to get here every morning,'' said Fletcher, referring to Alliance Christian School.
Fletcher works, she says, not because she needs the income, but because her little ones are ``just so loving and just so eager to please.''
Of the 29 years she's been teaching, Fletcher is more excited about this year than any other, in part due to the new classroom she moved into last Monday, and in part due to the abundance of hugs and expressions of love she receives from her students.
``Even sometimes after you've been at them all day, trying to correct them, they'll look up at you with those sweet eyes and say, `I love you, Ms. Fletcher.' ''
The biggest change Fletcher has seen over the years has been in the maturity level of children. It appears to Fletcher that kids are getting smarter, she said.
By the end of the school year, Fletcher's kindergartners are reading like first-graders, can do simple math, know their names, addresses and phone numbers and can count to 100 by fives and tens.
``We also learn our Bible verses,'' she said. ``We start with A, take one a week, and we learn a Bible verse from A to Z.
``At the end of the year, they can quote their Bible verses and tell you where they're found in the Bible. . . . They also learn the books of the New Testament.''
Before starting at Alliance 16 years ago, Fletcher taught at Bethany Baptist kindergarten (now closed) for 11 years and at Sweethaven for two. Currently, she works half-days with about a dozen students.
In working with kindergartners, Fletcher is guided by a simple philosophy that has worked for her since the first day she walked into a classroom.
``I make sure I come into the classroom enthused because I find the way I walk into the classroom each morning predicts the way the day will be,'' she said.
``The mood that I'm in is the mood that my kids will be in. If I come in up, they're up that day. If I come in down, they're going to be down . . .
``I've always said when my enthusiasm has gone and my patience has gone, it's time for me to walk out the door.''
Obviously, that day has not yet come.
Name: Geneva ``Inez'' Fletcher
Nickname: ``Ma'' Fletcher
Neighborhood: Stewart Manor
Number of years in Portsmouth: 43
Birthplace: Grundy, Va.
Birthdate: March 6, 1926
Occupation: Kindergarten teacher at Alliance Christian School
What job other than your own would you like? Can't think of anything I would rather be doing that teaching kindergarten
Marital Status: Widowed
Children: Randall Fletcher, 46; Linda Pegram, 44; and Lucy Cox, 37
Grandchildren: Jody Pegram, 23; Josh Pegram, 20; Abbey Pegram, 10; Lucinda Fletcher, 3; and Natalie Fletcher, 1
Fondest childhood memory: Walking home from school in a big snow and my dad taking me in his arms and rubbing my hands to get me warm
First concert: Waylon Jennings, 1978, Hampton Coliseum (My son was Waylon's production manager)
What song or book title best describes your life? ``One Step At A Time''
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? I would give to my church, school and then fulfill my children's and grandchildren's wishes.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? I am content being who I am.
Biggest accomplishment: Seeing my previous kindergarten students grown with their own families. I'm teaching some of their children now.
Most embarrassing moment: Can't think of one
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? To spend more time helping others
Perfect way to spend the day: Teaching kindergarten children
I can't resist: A good sale
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: The Flagship
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: I'm too old to hang.
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Crime
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
End violence
Lower taxes
Better public school system
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? The section I live in is very peaceful and quiet. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JIM WALKER
by CNB