Longtime teacher celebrates 80 years

GOOD COMPANY- Temple Beth Haverim's Early Childhood Center teacher Ruth Hirsh is surroundeby her students. Hirsh will turn 80 on May 22. She has taught children for the past 15 years. Ruth Hirsh, a teacher at Temple Beth Haverim's Early Childhood Center, will celebrate her 80th birthday on May 22.

Hirsh has been married for 63 years and has raised three daughters. She is the grandmother of five girls and one boy, and the greatgrandmother of three children. She has been working with young children for more than 18 years.

At age 65, Hirsh returned to school to earn her early childhood credentials. After completing her studies, she worked in Malibu for several years before coming to work at Temple Beth Haverim.

Hirsh amuses students with her outfits and "dress ups" that match the theme or holiday of the week, as well as with her storytelling and puppet shows.

"I am grateful to still be able to make a child laugh and smile, to give them special attention, to tell them a joke. I love spending my days around the children of the preschool. It makes me feel alive," said Hirsh. "I am not worried about turning 80. I plan on spending the rest of my life being as happy as the children I work with."