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Sanders retires after 20 years of making learning fun years ago

By JESSICA BERNHARDT

Staff writer

The special education program has come a long way in the past 20 years. Betty Sanders has witnessed some of those changes.

Sanders began her career as a para-educator in December 1974. "That was back when it was the Marion-Harvey County Special Education Co-op," she said. Sanders worked there until 1977.

From 1977 until 1990, Sanders spent time doing other things. She operated a preschool program in her home and after her daughter, Christine, graduated from high school she went back to working as a para. "I've always been involved with kids in some form."

Sanders has been working in Marion County from the very beginning of her career. After coming back to the program in 1990, she has been at Marion Elementary School.

Not only does Sanders enjoy being a para, she is an advocate for the profession.

"I've always been a strong advocate for special education. People don't understand the state mandates we have special education. It's not that they're [the students] are dumb. The general public doesn't understand that, they just see dollar signs."

Sanders experienced the work of a para from a young age. "When I was a kid I had a reading problem," she said. Sanders went to teachers for help with her problem and realized that it wasn't much fun. She thought if she was ever a para she would make it fun. "I didn't want the kids to feel like they have a problem. I wanted kids to excel at learning."

After retirement, Sanders hopes to catch up and have the opportunity to accomplish some things on her "to-do" list. She enjoys gardening, reading, and doing jigsaw puzzles. She said she also hopes to have time to travel.

Retirement allows people the chance to do things they have been planning for quite a while. But it's also a time to cherish the memories made while working.

She remembers that while tutoring a student and watching him read she noticed something with his eyes.

"I kept thinking there was something wrong," she said. She addressed the teacher about the problem and it turned out the student had a tracking problem with his eyes. "It was neat to be able to see the result."

Something rewarding that Sanders will miss is seeing her students excel. She said it's a joy anytime she sees the slightest progress of a student.

With tearful eyes she said, "It's always great when the kids you see struggle through school end up on the honor roll.

"You can tell I'm going to miss it, but it's time. Time for younger people to take over."

Sanders said Marion has an excellent system and excellent teachers. "It's always been fun. You always have trials and tribulations but the next day is always a new day."

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