TEACHER OF THE WEEK

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, April 12, 1993                   TAG: 9304130080
SECTION: NATL/INTL                    PAGE: NF-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
TEACHER OF THE WEEK
Marilyn O'Dell's educational philosophy is simple: "Every child is a gifted child," she says. "The role of the teacher is finding that gift."
O'Dell, who teaches language arts to sixth- and eight-graders at a Roanoke County private school, says all her pupils perform some task well. She aims to find it and formulate her lesson plans around each child's strength, be it writing, acting or reading. Some of O'Dell's motivational tools include assigning projects where grades are given on effort only and exploring different types of writing with her class, including drama and autobiography.
"Mrs. O'Dell is an outstanding teacher," said the pupil who nominated her. "One time I had trouble in science, and even though she is my language arts teacher, she went out of her way to teach me a way that I could understand. It meant so much to me that she would take time after school to help me."
O'Dell recently moved to Roanoke from Kentucky. She is married and the mother of two teen-age sons, and enjoys reading and hiking.
If you have a nomination for Teacher of the Week, send the name of the nominee, his or her school and why you think that teacher should be honored. Include your name, telephone number and school and send to NewsFun, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB