Barbara Colville and Katie Ring are teachers at Resurrection Catholic Elementary School (RCES). They are also mother and daughter, and between them they have almost 50 years of teaching experience.
Barbara obtained a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Mississippi University for Women and a master’s degree from University of Southern Mississippi.
She first started teaching at Our Lady of Victories Elementary School, then taught at Orange Lake Elementary. When her oldest child started preschool at RCES in 1993, she started working there, and has been teaching kindergarten for most of that time.
“I love teaching kindergarten because the children are so eager to learn. They are like little sponges soaking up everything. I love having some freedom to do discovery activities, as well as learning through play. They have a long time ahead of them in school and I want to make their first real school experience one that they will remember. When I hear my current students reading so well it makes me really proud of how hard we have worked this year,” Barbara said.
Barbara always knew she wanted to be a teacher. In college, she had changed her major but quickly realized teaching was her calling and switched back to education.
“Planning and finding new things to do each year is a passion for me. This school year is not even out and I’m already thinking about August.”
Her favorite part about teaching is the children and their reactions to learning.
“I love seeing that lightbulb go off when they realize they can do something. I hope I am making a difference in someone’s life. In kindergarten, no two days are ever the same, so I always have something to look forward to.”
However, the challenging part is trying to reach every child with the help they need while also trying to get through the curriculum.
Barbara has had so many memorable moments throughout her over four decades of teaching it would be hard to pick a favorite. Her best moments are hearing a student say, “This is the best day ever” whenever they are doing something.
One thing Barbara tells her students is that they have to persevere, and they even do a lesson on that at the beginning of each school year. She also uses that word as a pep talk for herself.
“If I find myself wanting to give up, I remind myself of that word. Sometimes, the children will tell each other that they have to persevere, and I have even had them tell me the same thing.”
When Barbara first started teaching, there was a 2nd grade teacher across the hall from her that she looked upon as a role model, Scottie Delmas. Though she has since passed away, Barbara often wonders if she lives up to Ms. Delmas’ standards.
“Forty-five years into this I still think of her. I wanted to be just like her. She was the best of the best! If I could be half the teacher she was then I am doing good.”
Barbara has educators in her family now, however, neither of her parents were in education. She has a sister who teaches preschool, a sister-in-law who taught elementary school and nieces who are teachers. And, she also has a daughter, Katie Ring, who is following in her footsteps.
“I love teaching with Katie. We have had some great times together and some tough times together. I’m glad we get to experience this journey with each other. She is my sounding board when something isn’t working, and I hope I have been able to help her at the same time.”
When not working, Barbara likes to read and do crafts, but actually spends a lot of her down time working on school-related things. Even though she’s got 45 years of teaching behind her, she has no plans on retiring.
“I feel blessed to be able to go to work each day at a place that I call home. Not every day is perfect, but I know that tomorrow is a new day. I am grateful for my administration that supports any of my crazy ideas and for my teaching friends who help me to grow.”
Barbara lives in Pascagoula and has two children who graduated from RCS, one of whom is Katie.
Katie is the art teacher at RCES and teaches every grade from PreK-2 to 6th grade. She went to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for two years and then went to Mississippi State University where she obtained a degree in early childhood education.
She knew she wanted to be a teacher during her senior year of high school when her class was assigned to help out in a classroom at RCES. She got assigned to her mom’s classroom.
“I learned so much about teaching during that time. I realized that I have a love for children and how rewarding a job it is,” Katie said.
While she’s only been teaching for four years, she already knows her favorite part about teaching is the relationships built with the children.
“I also really love to watch the kids go from not knowing how to paint or draw something and then become so confident in their art abilities when they are finished.”
Katie finds that the quote, “Don’t stress and do your best,” keeps her going. But what also helps is the example set by her mother.
“She has so much knowledge from over 40 years of teaching so when I need advice on what to do or when I am having a rough day and not sure how to keep going, she is always there to offer her support and guidance.”
Katie lives in Gautier, and when not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and creating fun art projects at home.
*Photos are courtesy of Resurrection Catholic Elementary School
