Teacher Profile Series: Lind Elementary School teacher Jody Terris

Teaching wasn't always in the cards for Lind Elementary fourth grade teacher Jody Terris. In fact, after graduating from Riverside High School north of Spokane, Terris attended Eastern Washington University to major in hotel management.

"It wasn't for me," Terris said. "I don't really know why I did that."

Terris came to the Lind-Ritzville area when her husband, Kevin, accepted the principal job at Lind-Ritzville High School. Two weeks later, she was offered a job teaching fourth grade in Lind.

Terris was in her first year majoring in hotel management when she discovered it wasn't for her. An experience with a little girl she was babysitting led her to teaching.

"I thought I had taught her to read," Terris said with a laugh. "It turns out she had just memorized a book that I read to her so many times. When she did learn to read though, I was so excited. I was like, 'Oh my God, I taught her how to read.' It lit a spark in me and I said, 'OK, I am going to be a teacher.' I switched my major and I have been a teacher ever since."

After switching her major, Terris met Kevin in the teaching program. When they graduated, they began searching for jobs that would keep them in the same area as each other.

"Back in the day when we graduated from college, you took whatever job was available to you," Terris said. "It was really hard to get a job."

Terris and her husband both were offered jobs in Tonasket. They both felt it would be a temporary stop.

"We planned to stay there for a year or two, but we ended up loving it and raised our kids there," Terris said. "When they left, we wanted to be closer to our family [in the Spokane area], but wanted to stay in a small town ... When the Ritzville job became open for my husband, he accepted. I was lucky enough to get hired on two weeks later."

This is Terris' 23rd year teaching.

Midway through Terris' interview with The Journal for this profile, several of her students entered the classroom. It was clear from her interactions with her students how much she enjoys working with children. It was also evident how much her students enjoy working with her.

"She is the best teacher in the world," said one of her students after asking why there was an unknown person in the room.

"That's true," declared another.

Terris says she loves teaching the fourth grade, and it shows.

"In fourth grade, they still love you, but you can joke around with them a little more," Terris said. "I love coming to work everyday. I love being with the kids. I love the energy they have and their excitement."

Terris returned to school to earn a masters degree in literacy from Lesley College. While her husband eventually made the move to a principal position, Terris says she can't imagine herself leaving the classroom.

"I just want to be a teacher," Terris said.