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

DATE: MONDAY, April 5, 1993                   TAG: 9304060377
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: NF-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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TEACHER OF THE WEEK

In one corner of Vickie Wirth's classroom you might find children splashing in water. In another, a child may be listening to music or coloring a picture. It may sound like chaos, but what's going on is learning, with the use of "centers" and hands-on materials.

The centers allow children to move from area to area, exploring different concepts. "Learning centers are what I use most, and the children love them," Wirth said. "They're learning the basics, but they don't realize they're learning."

Wirth, a 17-year teaching veteran, says first-graders experience more growth than any other age group. "They're learning to read so it's a very important year," she said. "Mrs. Wirth lets me draw lots of pictures, and she is nice and she teaches me how to read. She is cool, and I like that," said the pupil who nominated her.

Married and the mother of 14-year-old Britta and Ryan, 10, Wirth enjoys reading, walking and sitting around the pool.

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 24010-2491.

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