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

DATE: MONDAY, October 16, 1995                   TAG: 9510170032
SECTION: NEWSFUN                    PAGE: NF-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TEACHER OF THE WEEK

Spanish

Maury River Middle School

Senora Pamela Baker, as she's known to her seventh- and eighth-grade Spanish pupils at Maury River Middle School in Lexington, has seen a good bit of the world.

Besides teaching in Australia, the California native has traveled extensively throughout Latin America. Baker says she believes it's important to learn a foreign language not only because it makes it easier to function when traveling abroad, but because, "more and more people are coming into our country who don't speak English, and it's nice to be able to communicate with them.

"I think it's important for the kids to not just speak Spanish, but to appreciate diversity," she said.

Baker helps foster that appreciation by taking pupils on trips to Latin America. Last year she took nine to Puerto Rico; this year, she'll head a group traveling to Costa Rico. Baker herself spent two weeks in Cuba on a mission with the Methodist church.

"She is very funny and friendly to everyone. She is the coolest teacher," said the pupil who nominated her. Baker said playing Spanish Scrabble and preparing Hispanic foods are two ways she captures the attention of her class.

Married and the mother of three, Baker enjoys reading, attending concerts and cultural events, writing and cooking.