Cheri (Preston) Ingle didn’t go into teaching for the accolades. It’s the most exhausting job she’s ever had but also the most rewarding. The 1990 PCS graduate chose education for the same reason she joined the United States Navy after high school – she felt compelled to serve.
The fourth-grade teacher at Saint Clair Edgar Murray Elementary School, in St. Clair, Missouri, was recently named the VFW Teacher of the Year for the entire state. She was nominated by her principal, and first won for the St. Louis region before being recognized at the state level.
“I love my job and teach the best I know how, and it is such an honor to be recognized for doing something that I feel blessed to be able to do,” said Cheri. “My students are not just my students for a school year. They know they can, and they have, come back to my room to ask me for help or just to say 'hi' no matter what grade they are in or if they have graduated.”
Cheri started her career in education as a teacher’s aide, working with students on the Autism Spectrum. She was working full time and raising her two children while taking night courses. Cheri earned an associate degree from East Central College in Union, Missouri, and a bachelor’s degree in Science of Teaching from Central Methodist College. After working as a first-grade teacher, Cheri found her “home” in fourth-grade at Saint Clair Edgar Murray Elementary, where she has been for the last decade.
“When my children were in school and I was able to go back to school for my degree, I wanted to do something that would benefit children. Teaching seemed like the best way to do that.”
For Cheri, the highlight of teaching is getting to be a part of a child’s life – even if just for a school year. She tries to make a lasting impact in that short time period. The most daunting aspect is not being able to protect her students from the harshness of the world.
“Children now face so many challenges that I didn’t as a child and it’s heart wrenching,” she said. “I have to try to educate them when they are tired, hungry, worried about where they will be sleeping at night, or scared they will be home alone again.”
Serving always seemed like a good fit for Cheri, which led to her enlisting in the United States Navy after graduating high school. She originally wanted to go into law enforcement and thought that joining the military was the ultimate act of service. She also wanted to see the world.
“My grandfather was in the Navy during World War II and he used to tell stories about what it was like. I took pride in serving my country and felt it was my duty to serve.”
After completing bootcamp in Orlando, Florida, where her company received the double salute and, at the time, was the top class to come out of Orlando, Cheri was promoted to Operations Specialist schooling in Dam Neck, Virginia. She worked in the Combat Information Center and, after serving eight years, was honorably discharged in 1998. Cheri appreciated the structure that the military provided, but hated not knowing when or if she’d see her family again.
“Serving was one of the best experiences of my life. The camaraderie, and also knowing that I could accomplish anything after what they put me through,” she said.
Cheri helped her school district become a Purple Star School of Distinction, which is a state-sponsored recognition for schools that support military families through various means. Inspired by the distinction, Cheri started an after-school program for fourth and fifth graders called the Purple Star Club, which focuses on leadership, patriotism, and helping the community. Last December, the club organized a food drive that fed over 90 families.
“While I love educating students, I love having an impact in their lives and try to encourage them to be the best people they can be. We have a saying in my room that, ‘Our future starts now and my future will be wide open and I will make a positive impact on the world!’”