JEFFERSON TWP — Perry and Debora Dawson knew when they met at a Pennsylvania State Educator Association conference that teaching would be something they'd have in common for a long time.

They never dreamed, however, they'd pass on that love of teaching to both their children — or those children would likewise marry teachers someday. But that's what happened.

The teaching profession is surely a recurring topic during the family's gatherings this holiday season.

When Debora and Perry met in the 1960s, both were attending Indiana (Pa.) University, with Perry studying business education and Debora going for a special education degree.

Debora, 58, said she caught the teaching bug early — while in high school and a member of Future Teachers of America. She was interested in special education early as well, watching fellow classmates struggling.

"I thought those kids deserved a chance too," she said.

After graduation, she worked for the Midwestern Intermediate Unit, traveling to Mars Middle School, Adams Elementary School and private schools for a total of 19 years. For 10 years, some of which overlapped with the teaching, she also worked as special education supervisor for the IU.

Her lessons were usually taught from the back of a van, she said, until schools bought trailers where she would teach her classes on site.

Just as she retired from teaching about two years ago, the position became available at His Kids School, a private school affiliated with Summit Presbyterian Church.

The school started as a preschool center but has grown to include first through third grades and a total of about 50 kids. Debora said she expects it to serve up to fifth grade eventually.

Perry, 59, recently took a position teaching keyboarding and other computer classes to elementary students at the school. He retired from Knoch High School where he taught business education for 35 years.

He's seen many changes in that field over the years and credits Debora with helping him accept the main one.

"I was still clinging to the electric typewriter," he said. "Debbie was the first to embrace a computer in the family."

Though what he taught changed over the years, students stayed the same, according to Perry.

"I love when former students come up to me," he said. "The kids that sometimes floundered in class are the ones that show the most respect down the line. I learned not to downplay the importance of any single kid."

The couple never required their children, Jeremy and Stephanie, to become teachers, but the occupation was always on the table. The dinner table, that is.

The Dawsons said they invariably talked about their jobs while they ate dinner. In addition, the kids would help create bulletin boards or decorate rooms in the summer. They saw other teachers as family friends, not people that couldn't be approached, said Debora.

Jeremy Dawson, 28, is a CAD teacher at Bloomingdale High School in Valrico, Fla. He married Nichol Murray, 28, a fellow Knoch High School graduate, who went on to become a family and consumer science teacher. Nichol teaches at Florida Virtual School, a cyber school in that area, according to Perry.

Both are highly involved with student groups at their respective schools, he added.

The couple has a four-month-old son, J.J.

"What a gift it would be if he would decide to be a teacher," said Perry.

Debora and Perry's daughter, Stephanie, 27, went to school at Westminster College to become a teacher, but later changed her mind and became a guidance counselor, said Perry. She now has a master's degree in guidance education and is a counselor at Slippery Rock High School.

"I think she's always shared my passion for kids," said Debora. "She saw my special education work touch kids and that probably steered her into guidance."

She married Scott Karwoski, 31, who teaches fifth grade at Knoch Middle School. Scott and Stephanie also stay involved with students after school in coaching positions.

"It's in their blood," Debora said. "Not only do they do this during the school day, they stay involved after it's over."

"I look at what they do now and it's so awesome to see them dealing with other people's kids," she added.

The love for teaching is a passion Debora and her husband obviously share.

"I'm just thoroughly entrenched in education," said Debora. "Retirement is a myth for me."