For the past year, I have had the absolute pleasure of being an adjunct instructor at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College for two public speaking classes.

Public speaking is one of those classes that not many students take for shear pleasure, but most of the time, it is a requirement for graduation. Most students dread the class, and face what's called communication apprehension; that is the fear of getting up in front of a group of people and speaking.

The drop-out rate of this class, most of the time, is much higher than that of other classes no matter in which institution of higher education the class is being taught. The first day of class I always tell a room full of students, "Look around, this is the fullest that you will ever see this class."

The class is very time-consuming and is one that does require some courage, especially if students have had no prior speaking experience. But it is one that is very rewarding if a student can tolearte the workload through the end of the semester, at the end I often hear, "You know, Stacey, I almost dropped this class because I just didn't think I could do it."

But what most students find at the end of it is that the class is one that will help in future classes, both in disciplining students to stick with something and as preparation for those classes that require presentations as part of a final grade.

Teaching is the most rewarding job that I have ever had, especially when those same students who had thought about dropping out stick with it. These also are normally the students who show the greatest improvement.

I have very much enjoyed my students at LBW this year. I cannot say enough about how wonderful the students are, or just how wonderful the faculty and staff of the college are to work with. Greenville is lucky to have such qualified and dedicated faculty members who give 110 percent to their job.

And to my students, thank you so much for the opportunity that you gave me this year. You all mean so much to me and I am blessed to have had such dedicated and hard-working individuals. Many of you said that you learned a great deal in the class, but I want you all to know that I learned a great deal from you also. I hope you all have a great summer.