Instructor still teaching after 6,000 hours in classroom Published Nov. 12, 2009 By Angela Cutrer Keesler News staff KEESLER AFB, Miss -- Jeré Funk has been on her feet for 6,000 hours. Not continuously, of course. But just think: That's 250 days or 35 weeks or 8.3 months -- no matter how you count it, it's a long time standing in front of wide-eyed Airmen. So, though she found her job rewarding, Ms. Funk decided to retire a few years ago. But Hurricane Katrina changed that. "I needed to go back to work, and I was lucky enough to get this position at the 334th Training Squadron," she said of her position teaching the aviation resource management apprentice course. Her supervisor, Senior Master Sgt. Anthony Pearson, feels lucky, too. "She's an extraordinary teacher, and I've even heard that no one fails her classes," the instructor supervisor said. "We'll, there's never been a person eliminated from her course since I've been here, let's say." Ms. Funk admits she has very few failures. "I think it's because I make sure they get it," she said. "I love what I do and it's my job to help them through the course. Plus, I think they aren't as intimidated by me because I'm a civilian." Ms. Funk said her secrets are repetition and observation. "I watch their expressions for feedback," she said. "A lot of times they won't ask questions, so I watch to see if they get it. If they don't, I explain from another direction." "When I need help with something, she is among the first I go to for advice," said Sergeant Pearson.?"She prepares the students properly, and I am honored to working with such a professional." An Oregon native, Ms. Funk, a retired master sergeant, began her teaching career in 1995 at Keesler. When she was asked to teach with the 334th TRS after Katrina, she felt blessed. "When I first started here, I had to teach students how to use a mouse," she said "Students (these days)?are a lot more confident when it's time for use to practice application skills in class." Ms. Funk holds a bachelor's degree in business and computer science from Troy University in Alabama. She's an avid quilter and a proud mom; son Matthew, 21, is a Marine at Fort Meade, Md. Considering all of the teaching jobs she's had, what does she think of this particular one? "Sergeant Pearson came in with a lot of new ideas, and between him and the students, there is never a dull moment," she said.