Since she was a child, Julie Uitermark wanted to be a teacher.

Her third-grade teacher was an early role model. Once she graduated from high school, she went to college to make her dream a reality and now is in her seventh year teaching kindergarten at Williamsburg Elementary.

Her family has endured many traumatic episodes in recent years. Her son, Dan, suffers from Crohn's disease, for which he is on medication for life. Her husband, Dwayne, lost hearing in both ears because of a virus and suffered a broken pelvis and a fractured back in a tractor accident two years ago. Nonetheless, Uitermark does not look for sympathy.

"A lot of people have gone through a lot worse," she said, even joking about another possible career choice. "For awhile I thought I had missed my calling. I thought I should have gone into nursing."

Dan attends the University of Iowa. Dwayne has recovered some hearing with the help of a cochlear implant and a hearing aid. He has mostly healed from his accident.

Uitermark credits teaching with helping her through difficult times. In her classroom, she tries to instill an interest in learning and enjoys the kindergarteners.

"They're eager to learn," she said. "They still find teachers as this wonderful thing. They put a lot of trust in adults and that's a very special thing to have."

Uitermark brings her love of photography into the classroom, sharing pictures of her students with parents.

"I try to catch a moment for them," she said.

Uitermark said she feels there are more pressures, even for young students, in today's education system. She is critical and skeptical of programs such as No Child Left Behind.

"They're getting too caught up in raising the bar," she said. "I think Iowa's been doing a good job. I don't know why they're messing with a good thing. Kindergarten used to be more of a social time for learning to be a student. People underestimate the value of play."

- Shawn Flickinger