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

DATE: MONDAY, March 28, 1994                   TAG: 9403300042
SECTION: NEWSFUN                    PAGE: NF-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TEACHER OF THE WEEK

When Tracy Humbert's kindergarteners enter the classroom, many of them for the first time, she knows just how to make them feel at ease: She hands them crayons and paper. "They might be intimated by other things at school, but they're not at all intimated by coloring a picture," she said. "I tell them no picture should look the same and that seems to take the pressure off."

Humbert says she has found art an effective tool in both teaching children and getting them to open up and express themselves. "It's a great way to get children with limited vocabulary or who can't write to express themselves," she said.

Humbert, who has taught for five years, said a good teacher is one who treats children with respect. "You have to put yourself on their level and not feel it's demeaning to be there. I try to treat them as little people, not babies," she said.

"Mrs. Humbert speaks kindly and with enthusiasm and cares for each student," said her nominator.

Humbert said that although she majored in art, she always wanted to teach. She is married and enjoys photography and working outdoors in her spare time.

by CNB