Bonaire teacher says it’s a blessing to teach in Houston County

Bonaire Elementary teacher Merrie DeJeet has been teaching for 19 years in Houston County.

This is her 16th year teaching kindergarten at Bonaire Elementary. Over the course of her 32-year teaching career, she has also taught at Tucker Elementary, Perry Primary, Savannah Christian and in Cordele, Fort Valley and Byron.

Growing up with her father serving in the Army, DeJeet and her family moved around in south Georgia. Once married, she and her husband moved around also before settling in Bonaire.

DeJeet received her undergraduate degree from Valdosta State University and her master’s degree from Georgia Southwestern State University.

Why teaching?

“I’ve always loved children. I kept the nursery at church and babysat. I just always wanted to teach. My mother was a high school teacher.”

What brought you into the field?

“Just loving children and like to be around them.”

Any inspiration from past teachers?

“My first grade teacher, Ms. Cook in Albany, was really sweet. I had a lot of really sweet teachers.”

Best part of teaching?

“The satisfaction of being able to see them succeed and learning to read is exciting.”

What is it about teaching that you like the most?

“About the same.”

Most challenging part of teaching?

“Making sure that you differentiate for each child.”

Anything that makes your job difficult?

“We’re blessed in Houston County. We have a great administration and parents here at Bonaire Elementary. We have materials and supplies, everything we need. If I didn’t have all of that, it would be difficult.”

If not teaching, what?

“I started out in accounting, but I really didn’t understand it. I thought I would like it, but I didn’t care for it. I would probably go into speech therapy because you can do it at a school, hospital or private practice, but I would still do teaching.”

Advice to students:

“Listen, work hard and try to follow directions.”

Advice to parents:

“Have an open communication with the teacher and read with your child every night.”

Home life:

“My husband is Frank DeJeet. We have three daughters, Lauren DeJeet, Lindy Jenson and Libby DeJeet. I have three dogs and enjoy spending time with my family.”

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