My name is Linda Kruse and I teach 1st grade at Jefferson Elementary.  I have been teaching since 1974 graduating from Central Michigan University with a degree in Special Education.  I also have a masters in learning disabilities.  With my certification I am able to teach elementary education as well.  

      Mason Lake Intermediate was my first teaching job, teaching Trainable and Severly Mentlaly Impaired Students ranging in age from 15-27 years old.  During that time I was involved with a team of people in writing a curriculum for teaching Mentally Impaired Students living in a rural area.  At the beginning of the 80's I started my family, having 4 children!  During this time I started working part time at Mason-Lake Intermediate while raising my family until a special education job opened up at Madison Elementary in Manistee.  I started working part time for MAPS in 1986 teaching special education in a self contained classroom.  Soon I taught in an inclusive program in the forth grade, being the special ed teacher in a regular classroom.  At the beginning of the 90's, I switched roles and became a regular third grade teacher in an inclusive classroom.  Then I had a big change in my teaching career because I was moved to Washington School to teach Kindergarten for the next 4 years.  That was one of my favorite teaching experiences.  For the last four years I have been teaching 1st grade.  That rates right up there with one of my favorite teaching experiences as well!  This brings me to my 29th year of teaching!!

     My family is my proudest accomplishment.  I have three daughters and one son.  My oldest daughter Melissa is married and is an early elementary school teacher in  Hart Public Schools.  Her husband is also a teacher,  teaching High School Math.  My son Mike, lives at home and works construction.  My second daughter Julie is studying nursing at Ferris State University.   That leaves my last child, but not least Jamie.  Jamie is a student at West Shore Community College studying hospitality and hotel management.  My husband just started his 36th year working at Morton's Salt.  He is the best supporter of us and is excellent at putting up bullentin boards. 

     Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.  Communication is one of the best ways to work together in educating students. My e-mail address is lkruse@manistee.org, phone number at Jefferson  723-9285, extension 18.