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

DATE: MONDAY, March 14, 1994                   TAG: 9403140001
SECTION: NEWSFUN                    PAGE: NF-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TEACHER OF THE WEEK

Karen Ragsdale says some of the most valuable lessons her pupils have learned have come outside the classroom. On the soccer field is one place Ragsdale's second-graders have learned values such as sportsmanship and team work, she said. And Ragsdale, a sports lover, has been right there with them, encouraging them and even scoring some goals herself.

"I love to play soccer with them," she said. "I have encouraged them, especially the girls, and some of them have even gone on to play on other teams." Ragsdale's encouragement doesn't stop at school; she tries to attend her pupils' recreation league games.

Ragsdale, who has taught for eight years, two in public schools, says she enjoys the small classes (she has a class of 12) and parental involvement at Blacksburg's Dayspring Christian Academy. Her pupils say they enjoy her sense of humor and enthusiasm. "Mrs. Ragsdale loves the children and the whole class loves her," said the pupil who nominated her.

Married and the mother of two teen-age boys, Ragsdale enjoy swimming laps, cooking and cheering her sons on in their sports activities.

by CNB