Patricia Kienzle

13 years as classroom teacher in 1st through 4th grade classes 18 years as counselor K-6th grade classes

Integration of toys and music into lessons Integration of math into lessons of all subjects Repetition of activities as jumping off point for current lesson Use of my own mistakes during a lesson as part of the lesson

Arkansas Christa McAuliffe Fellowship, 1997-98 Arkansas Christa McAuliffe Fellowship, 2001-2002 Arkansas School Counselor Writer of the Year, 1998 2000 Profile in Excellence from Oklahoma Baptist University Honorary Lifetime Membership in Arkansas PTA, 2004

Graduation from Southeast High School in Oklahoma City, 1968 Graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1972 Graduated with a Master's degree in 1986 from the University of Arkansas

After graduation from college in 1972, I married my husband, David, and began my first teaching position in Laredo, Texas. David's transfer in the Air Force to Enid, Oklahoma led to two and a half years of teaching in the elementary school there. In 1976, we moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas. In August of that year we bought the home we still live in. I began teaching at Farmington Elementary where I retired from after 28 years. I found the church where I still participate in children's and mission activities. In 1986, I became the first elementary counselor in Farmington and remained in that position until I retired. While teaching first grade, I had two September children (well planned as you can see!!) Bob was born in September of 1979. He has finished his Master's degree and is leaving to teach English in South Korea. Michael was born in September of 1982. Gratefully, he is staying here and is a great support (especially anything with the computer.) In 1986, I wrote a lesson to introduce the counselor's role to the children. It was a big hit and has been used all over the country. Life is like a pickle. Sometimes it's sweet. Sometimes it's sour. That led to a published book and others followed. I have had the blessing of presenting workshops in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Colorado, Missouri, and California. The presentation at the North Central Accreditation Association meeting in Chicago made for a great trip with my principal, superintendent and a co-worker who happened to be a close friend and neighbor. The most significant person I met in my travels was Grace Corrigan, Christa McAuliffe's mother. I visited with her at both the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship meetings we had in Washington, D.C. As part of P-I-C-K-L-E-S for Parents, a Christa Mc Auliffe Fellowship project, I visited some of the small schools in Arkansas. One of those is located in an area that once prospered with work for the cotton industy, but has little to offer residents now. After doing school projects there, the town has now become the focal point of my church projects. I still go teach lessons in the school when I can get there. Now I can also go in the summer with activities and supplies. After retiring, I opened Ladybug Hug Flowers and Gifts, named after one of my children's stories, Ladybug Hug. I learned quickly that I am not a business person. Now I am looking for opportunities to use my educational materials with children and adults.