When Buffie Merritt accepted her first job as an afterschool daycare worker, even though she was still in high school, she knew she was where she was supposed to be. That first job planted a seed within the Benton native. And for the past two decades, she has nourished that seed at Manchester Academy. For Merritt, it was and is more than just a job. It is her calling.
“I have always gravitated towards children,” Merritt said. “I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Following graduation from Benton Academy, Merritt attended both Holmes and Hind Community Colleges, where she majored in early childhood education. After college, she joined Benton Farm Supply as a bookkeeper.
But when Merritt’s own children began their educational paths at Manchester Academy, she decided to join the staff at the local academy as a 4K teacher. She has remained at the academy for the past 22 years.
“That’s a long time to be doing what you love,” she added.
Beginning as a kindergarten teacher was perfect for Merritt, who enjoyed working with the younger students.
“I loved the little kids because they are so innocent and funny,” she said. “Every day was different. I can still remember after all this time, my first class had two twins who hated ketchup. They still hate it to this day. It’s those weird things you remember about the kids you have taught.”
Merritt taught the kindergarten class for about seven years. In 2013, she had the opportunity to move to the secondary level as an art instructor.
“I wasn’t sure about it at first,” she admits. “But after the first week, I was hooked on the older kids. It was a change, but it was a good change to move to this end of the building.”
Teaching art was a unique experience for Merritt because the instruction and material allowed the students to express themselves more than in a traditional subject setting.
“They are more free, more relaxed,” she said. “They can express themselves. That is when you really get to know them, their personalities and how they really are.”
Some of the students Merritt taught in seventh grade are now graduating. She had the opportunity to watch them grow into young adults.
“Everything here always goes back to the kids,” she said. “That is what is so special about Manchester. The kids and the wonderful coworkers I have are like family.”
Working at Manchester has also allowed Merritt to watch her own children grow. Her daughter and two sons all graduated from the local academy. In fact, her daughter Maci Daniels now also works at the school.
“Manchester Academy has been a big part of my life,” Merritt said. “It has been my life.”
When she is not at work, Merritt can be found working in her yard or spending time with her three granddaughters.
But with every new school year, Merritt returns to the academy with her doors wide open.
“I always have an open-door policy,” she said. “The kids can come to me about anything. Students may forget what we say, but they will never forget how we made them feel. I hope that I have made them feel loved and appreciated. If you let a child know you love them, you can teach them anything. Every day might not be a good day, but that is with any job you have. All they really want is to be loved.”
