McNairy County native helped shape thousands of children during 40-year teaching career

there.

"One thing, you had to look at children from a different angle. Sand Hill had country kids. Not all of them were on the same level, so you had to meet them where they were at and try to pull them up. If a thirdgrader was on a second-grade level, I'd work with them to pull them up to that third-grade level," Avery said.

She spent two years teaching at the country school before she took a position with Lovejoy High School in East St. Louis, Mo. In 1954, public schools were integrated and the schools for AfricanAmericans closed their doors. Avery's career then took her to Detroit, Mich., where she currently lives at the young age of 96. It was in Michigan where she obtained her master's degree.

days didn't end when the students left the classroom," Avery added.

Although the last couple of years have taken its toll on Avery's health, she still attends church and fancies an occasional dinner out. Her traveling days are winding down, but visiting new places was her favorite pastime outside of the classroom.

When asked if she had any favorite destinations, Avery said she loved them all. She has visited Europe, Berlin, Austria, Paris, London, Switzerland, the Caribbean Islands, Jamaica, Hawaii and Mexico, to name a few.

While she never married or had children of her own, she isn't regretful, adding "you can't cry over spilled milk."

devotion spilled over into their grandchildren. All of Avery's nieces and nephews are college graduates. Some are teachers, one is a doctor, another is an FBI agent and one is studying to become a lawyer. As Avery's traveling has slowed down over the years, she did say she hopes to return to her home county of McNairy sometime this month.

By Sabrina Bates

Throughout four decades as an educator, Lois Avery has molded, likely thousands of young minds in her lifetime. Avery was a teacher during the integration of schools and her role took her to classrooms in three different states. Even through all of the changes on a professional level, her love for children never wavered as she lived by the mantra of meeting children where they are in their education.

Avery earned her bachelor's degree in 1950 from Lane College in Jackson, Tenn. Her role model and father, Edward Avery, served as an educator in Tennessee's McNairy County School System for 22 years. She recalled how her dad always encouraged the children of the family to go after what they want and do better than he did in life.

"He always told us to reach for the top because the bottom is already crowded," Avery shared. Between Edward and his wife, Mary (Warren) Avery, they had six children. The Averys grew up on a farm in McNairy County, where they grew everything they ate, except sugar and flour.

Avery said her mother had the hardest job as a housewife, caregiver to six children and helping out on the farm.

Avery began her teaching career in McNairy County at a one-room building known as Sand Hill School. The rural spot was set back off into the woods and around 25 students spent their school days

She taught elementary-school students for four years. Avery said two of her favorite subjects to teach were reading and math. It was in Michigan where her full classrooms of 28 to 30 were all Caucasian students. She said all of the students got along with her and skin color didn't mean anything.

After four years, she took a position as an interventionist where she worked directly with only two to four students and their parents.

"One thing that is so important is for the parent and teacher to work together. If a child is falling behind, it should be up to the parents and teachers to figure out what to do to bring that child up. In a roomful of children, you didn't want that child to feel inferior," Avery said.

Then, students in Michigan were taking statewide curriculum and using California achievement tests. Eventually, Avery retired as an interventionist after a career spanning 40 years in education.

"All (children) were special to me. Some learned better than others. You have to think about the child's home life, because that affects their learning too. In our classrooms, you respect the slow learners," Avery shared.

Although she saw many changes in education throughout her lifetime and teaching career, some things remained a constant in the field of education.

"Teaching is a hard job. They aren't paid enough money having to work with sometimes 30 children, who all have different personalities. Some will like you. Some won't. Teaching is not easy. The

It was likely her father's encouragement who led her on her teaching path. One of her sisters also became a schoolteacher. While reminding his children to reach for the top, he also taught them to be respectful of their elders and their own teachers. Thanks to her mom, the family was kept in clean clothes with clean bodies and they learned how to survive.

Edward and Mary's wisdom and family