On Thursday, Feb. 16, Welches Elementary School first grade teacher Mary Ann Burke sat down to help a student with a project.

That simple act was
nearly impossible for Burke last fall, when her classroom housed 37 students.
Starting in January, thanks to the addition of part time teacher Lisa Sheppard,
Burke’s class is split in half for part of the day, covering topics such as math
and reading.

The difference is evident.

“You couldn’t serve their individual needs very well,” said Burke, a teacher in
the Oregon Trail School District for 23 years who noted last fall was the
largest class she’s ever had. “(It was) a lot of crowd control; the transitions
were difficult.

“You just kind of deal what you have to deal with,” she added.

In the fall, Burke had help from leadership students, volunteers and a
teacher’s aide, but Burke noted her role mostly consisted of giving directions.
She could never “get down low” to spend time with the students.

Despite the difficulty of the situation, Burke rose to meet the challenge.
“Mrs. Burke quite honestly did a tremendous job trying to meet that need,”
said Alex Leaver, principal of Welches Elementary and Middle Schools. “There
were a number of things to try and help Mrs. Burke, but we knew it was only
supplemental.

“It was very challenging,” he added. “I was really proud of Mary Ann being
able to take on a difficult task and make the best of it.”

And while everyone is thankful that the situation has been helped, there are
certain people who are particularly happy about it.

“We have 18 people in this class,” said first grader Finnegan Kling, 6. “It
makes it more easier for other people in smaller groups. Smaller groups
makes it more of a little more space.”

“It’s better for kids so they can focus on their work,” added Riley Carver, 6.
Denali Barrett, 7, noted how much calmer and quieter the classroom was with
fewer students.

“It was loud with all of them,” she said. “It’s better to have 15 instead of
struggling with all 37 kids.”