Mrs. Bates

My name is Carole Bates. I was born in Baltimore, Maryland. I lived there until I was 16. I moved to Ames, Iowa and graduated from Ames High School. Ames is the home of Iowa State University. It only made sense for me to go to Iowa State since I lived in Ames and wanted to go to school for education. I graduated, got married and lived in Kansas City for 4 years. We moved to Lawton, where we raised hogs for 17 years. During that time, I had 2 children. My daughter, Rachel and my son, Aaron. We also lived on an acreage for six years. I remarried and became Carole Bates. I have been married to Rod for 12 years. I now have 7 children and 10 grandchildren. Life is good!

I graduated from Iowa State University with a major in Elementary Education and a Special Education Endorsement with an area of concentration on Learning Disabilities. I substitute taught at Lawton-Bronson for 12 years while I helped out on our farm and raised my children. I became a full-time teacher in 2000 when I accepted a position as a handicap preschool teacher. A position opened up for a first grade teacher the next year and I took that position. I taught first grade for 10 years. A kindergarten position opened up and I was asked if I would be interested, and I took the job. I am currently teaching kindergarten. This is my 12 th year in this position. I have been working for the Lawton-Bronson School District for the past 34 years and have loved every minute of it.