Monica Crigers pleasant nature is a byproduct of her work-a-day life. Its the kids. They keep you young, said Monica, a paraprofessional at Humboldt Elementary for better than 20 years.
Criger said she had intended to work only a couple of years but that the job so grew on her that she soon forgot about any such self-imposed limitations.
It wasnt for the pay, which isnt robust for paras. You see those bright-eyed kids and they fill your day with joy, she said.
The students trials and tribulations, even in pre-adolescence, are sometimes are heartbreaking. You just wish you could take them home with you, she said.
Lunch duty is a favorite of Monicas. Every kid has stories to tell, and thats when she has time to listen. Sometimes their stories bring tears to her eyes.
Monica recalled the day a Marine came into the school and told her, Thank you for expecting me to do my job.
That from a nice and dapper Marine (in full dress) standing tall.
She also recalled a former student who told her years later: You put up with a lot of my guff. But you made me work hard and Im glad now that you did. Im grateful.
Monica cherishes such memories there are many and undoubtedly are repetitious of what teachers have heard for eons. Theyre so rewarding.
Monica, age 56, graduated from Humboldt High School in 1980. She and her husband, Mark, have two children, Corina and Reece, now grown.
When first hired in 1995, Monica had opportunity to work at the middle school, but preferred elementary, in large part because her daughter was still there.
I dont think I could have handled kindergarten or first grade and found second grade her favorite.
Second graders need an adult, but they are more independent. At the start theyre shy, but you know their personality is there. By the time theyre ready to move on, theyre much different. Theyre the perfect age group for me.
She also has fond memories from third grade.
A boy was stumped by a math problem and had to stay in from recess.
