AMERICUS — Technology coordinator at Schley County Elementary School (SCES), Louise Bosse, has been teaching for six years at SCES.

“I taught fourth grade for the first four years, but this is my second year as technology coordinator.

“Prior to moving to Georgia,” Bosse said, “I taught school for 18 years in Pensacola, Fla., in grades 2, 3, 4 and 5. In Pensacola, I also worked one year as a Title 1 Lead Teacher and four years as a technology coordinator.

“I chose my career, but didn’t start teaching until I was 30,” reflected Bosse. “My first choice of a career was that of a stay-a- home mother. I started college and earned my education degree after my children started school.

“I teach technology skills to al the students in our school form grades 1 through 5, and also work with teachers on integrating technology into their instructional practices.

“Getting to know all of the students in our school is a plus. I have a dream job in that it brings together my greatest passions in education: curriculum and technology. “

Smiling, Bosse added, “I also just take pleasure in being able to go to work every day.

“In 2002, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and I wondered if my days of working would soon come to an end. I have been blessed with a very mild progression of this disease, along with a terrifically supportive husband. I appreciate my job even more when I meet people who have become disabled with MS and can no longer work or even walk.

“It was pretty scary at first when I was diagnosed. I think it was seeing all the people in the waiting room, in wheelchairs, where the disease has progressed further, and I was wondering if that was going to happen to me.”

Calling herself a “self-sufficient” person, Bosse enjoys gardening.

“When I first came to Americus, I had just become very interested in rose gardening and I thought I would plant roses in my yard here and recreate the garden I left behind in Pensacola.

“What I didn’t know about was deer! I tried everything I read about on the Internet to deter the deer in our neighborhood from eating our roses, but gave up finally.”

Bosse added, “ I fill my gardening itch with growing African violets at home and at school.

“My husband and I are avid readers. We also enjoy watching movies. We like to travel and most of our trips in the last six years have been to visit our children and grandchildren who live in New York, Virginia, California, Arizona, Louisiana and Colorado.

“We have six children, three of whom are adopted. All seven of our grandchildren have been born since we moved to Americus in 2003. Our eighth grandchild, another New Yorker, is due in June.”

Bosse has many a favorite quotes, like “I have many, but the one I have on my e-mail signature right now is ‘Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.’”

Pausing, “When I am faced with a difficult task, I think of my mother’s mantra. ‘You do what you have to do.’ She died of ovarian cancer 25 years ago on Dec. 26 at the age of 49, and she accepted her illness as she did all situation in her life with grace and dignity.”

Just like her daughter does on the job and in life.