October 6, 2021 Issue, Page 9 of 26

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Hometown Heroes | October 2021 PG9 Dungan At 70, Dungan has no plans and is fully disabled due to injuries ing a teacher, and I did enjoy my things. I get to teach children, butI on slowing down anytime soon. from his service. time as a public school teacher. I get to share this beautiful love that She vocally praises WOCS as a But, when she talks about was raised Episcopalian, so the God gives to us all while doing so. “Godsend” not only to the stu- WOCS, she is clear — this work word ‘saved’ is not really some- Continued from page 8. dents, but to her personal life. is a calling for her and her col- thing that is part of their doctrine. 1 cannot think of anything greater She is highly active in the lives leagues. I was kind of late to the game. I to do with my life now,” Dungan Bible class, we teach the Bible of her children and grandchil- “This is a mission for all of us. I was in my 30s when I got saved, said. full-on, but in the subjects that are dren, loves chocolates, mystery tv feel blessed to be able to do what and it has been a completely dif- like spelling or like math, we still shows, gardening and her chick- I was created to do. As a younger ferent walk with the Lord. Teach- Dungan and her family attend find ways to bring God into it.” ens. Her son served in Afghanistan person, I always felt drawn to be- ing at WOCS combines both those the East Side Baptist Church. Merritt teacher stresses importance of in-person learning By Burgundy Lee Hanrahan Perhaps that is why the changes faced in addition to whatever else perchance that simply means that forced by the COVID-19 pandem- the pandemic might have brought what Watkins fondly recalls as Merritt Kindergarten teacher ic, distance learning specifically, their way. some of her favorite teaching ex- Amy Watkins says that over her reiterated how essential it is for The educator explained that periences: ten-year career, five of which have both students and teachers to be in though it may be hard, she and her been at Merritt, the greatest thing the classroom each school day. fellow teachers are committed to “The aha moments, pride from that being a teacher has taught her “Virtual learning was hard on meeting the gaps that COVID has, accomplished tasks, hearing them has been that building relation- everyone,” Watkins expressed, may have caused or may yet cause become readers, watching them ships is of utmost importance. “Kids missed vital interactions for their students. pretend to be the teacher and Watkins shares that she believes with their peers and direct instruc- It’s fair to say that the trans- teachers should “Be the voice tion from their teachers.” She also formations that schoolchildren showing kindness to others,” are that years from now continues to was sure to mention the many go through each academic year even more richly rewarding than Amy Watkins encourage and cheer them on.” extra responsibilities that parents may look different these days but previously thought. Home ol the $4.99 -Chicken Fried (} i Steak! Wl 21075. Main Street Elk City Great Plains Bank 580.243.2100 www fredssteakhouseok.com a 2017 W. Third 1300 S. Main | gpbankok.com 580-225-2265