This will be the final installment of the Rollins Report. I will be involved in a new responsibility with the Kennett Public School System, teaching LD students in the ninth and tenth grades.

I have enjoyed my tenure with the newspaper. The opportunity provided me here has been educational and appreciated.

I'm thankful for Bud Hunt giving me the opportunities I've enjoyed at the newspaper. I'm thankful for Jerry Noble and the Kennett Board of Education for providing me the opportunity to teach and help young people.

Ironically, in 1978, when I graduated from Southeast Missouri State University at Cape Girardeau, I became a teacher's aid with the Poplar Bluff School System. What class was I assigned to? The LD math class is the one. So I guess I've made a full circle!

That job with the Poplar Bluff School System was a temporary one. It was a job for me between undergraduate studies and graduate studies. Now, 30 years later, I will be back in the LD classroom.

There are those who tell me I might not realize the challenge ahead of me. I appreciate their concern, or interest. I think, however, that I am prepared for the challenge.

I will be working with ninth and tenth graders, who I'm sure, will behave like ninth and tenth graders. Dealing with those young people will be no more challenging than dealing with some adults who appear intent on acting like ninth and tenth graders! Ooops! Should I have said that?

One person asked if I was qualified to teach. That tickled me too, and irritated me. Some people remain in ignorant bliss about what's going on around them.

That thought did give rise to this one: Who is more qualified to hold the office of President of the United States?

U.S. Congress Military

John McCain 26 Years 22 years

Barack Obama 140+ days No experience

A bachelor's degree and a master's degree, along with 100 hours in continuing education, and 27 more hours I will be accumulating over the next three years, and 13 years of teaching in another setting, should qualify me to teach at KHS. At least Mr. Noble and the board of education think so.

McCain's years of experience in the U.S. Congress and military appear to have him qualified for the office he seeks. And, yes, I know some will think Obama's 140-plus DAYS qualify him.

Few would disagree that experience in the classroom is invaluable. All should agree that experience at governing should prove invaluable in the President's office.

Thank God we live in a country where we can disagree without being disagreeable.

Jack Rollins is the former managing editor of the Daily Dunklin Democrat, and the new LD teacher for the ninth and tenth graders at Kennett High School.