Heidi Schreiwer Makes Number Sense For Third Graders at Wiederstein Elementary

Heidi Schreiwer didn't plan to teach when she graduated with a Criminal Justice degree. After working the night shift in a magistrate's office for three years, she saw masses of humanity coming through the doors. She realized that these people with legal problems might well change their lives if they had a better education.

That was when she went back to school and became certified to teach at the elementary level. Why did she choose third grade? It was the logical place to be, she maintains. The students get excited about learning, and she knows that she can engage them with numbers now, which helps then with problem solving. This can make a huge difference in their lives as they grow older.

"I used to work for the city of San Antonio in the magistrates office. I'd see all these people coming in and so my goal was what can I do to make that better. It was a sad job and I'd wonder why are these people committing crimes. Maybe if they had an education they wouldn't have to resort to that. So I went back to school to get my teaching certificate so I could make a difference and help children succeed and not end up in the magistrate's office," Schriewer said. I look forward to it every day. I don't look at it as work. I look at it as I get to teach children and help them learn to live a productive life," said Ms. Schriewer. "This is what I was meant to do."

Now she's gone from a sad job to one that makes her happy and all those around her.