Cyndi Loza

A new educator at Lois Allen Elementary School brings more than just teaching experience with her.

That is why principal Laura Petersen said 78-year-old Ruth Kareck stood out among the candidates applying for a teaching position at the Sun Valley school.

“What she might be able to bring to the classroom may not be so much professional teaching experience as lifetime experience,” Petersen said.

Today is Kareck’s first day in her new career; the Sparks resident will be teaching her own first-grade class.

To the awe of many, Kareck became a certified teacher in May at age 78. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Nevada, Reno in December. Following that, she was a student teacher for a first-grade class at Marvin Moss Elementary School in Sparks.

“I’m a little nervous starting,” Kareck said. “I don’t feel as prepared.”

On July 14, a week before school was to start at Lois Allen school, Kareck fell and broke her hip while organizing her classroom.

“I thought I could walk it off — I’m that kind of macho person,” Kareck said. “I thought I just pulled a muscle, and I had to loosen that thing up.”

She underwent partial hip- replacement surgery the day after her accident.

“I was so excited coming in that Monday and then, boom,” Kareck said. “But, anyway, that’s life. Things happen.”

Despite her injury, Kareck was determined to go back to work. She was given permission to work part-time beginning today.

“I was determined to get back here, so I kept exercising,” Kareck said. “It’s the beginning of the year; I want the kids situated so they get used to my routine.”

Her routine includes weekly progress reports and mandatory after-school reading with parents.

“I think parents should be kept informed,” she said. “I don’t think they should find things out eight to nine weeks later.”