Lori Spillman Spillman

I have lived in the Carbondale area since coming to SIU in 1979. I teach Title Reading for all the first grade students at Unity Point Elementary School and have done so since 200-2001. I am incredibly fortunate to have this job because it is very rewarding to me professionally and personally.

I remember Willie Elliot kicking the field goal at a football game one year. Not only were we losing each game, we were scoreless for almost the entire season. When he kicked that field goal the fans were so happy... you'd have thought we'd won the Super Bowl. Don't people still call him Willie the Toe?

I remember countless stomach-aches because I was nervous or worried about something. I can even remember throwing up right before high school registration because I was afraid of what would happen. Looking back, I wish that I had talked less and listened more. Oh how I wish!

I remember the bus rides to and from school. Danny Gill rode my bus and he always cracked me up. He and his brother Tim had amazing senses of humor. I remember a little boy getting picked on by some older boys so I made them stop. Then the little boy thought I was his girlfriend for awhile after that. And the bus driver, Mr. Prater, would always take us to the Dairy Dell on the last day of school. Wow...