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

DATE: MONDAY, April 4, 1994                   TAG: 9404050032
SECTION: NEWSFUN                    PAGE: NF-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TEACHER OF THE WEEK

All it takes from Tamra Dillon is "the look," and pupils in her Roanoke classroom know she means business. Not that Dillon needs to employ it often - she believes that classroom rules should be established early in the school year - but when she does, "all it takes is one time," she said.

Dillon admits she's strict, but believes it is one of her strengths as a teacher. "I was brought up in a strict background with rules. I learned how to handle a classroom from my mother," said Dillon, whose parents both taught at one time in Roanoke City. "Her kids loved her and they had lots of respect for her. I demand the same respect," she said.

Dillon said she likes for her pupils to have fun, too. She loves classroom cooking, and says it's a great way to teach math, independence and responsibility. "Ms. Dillon is a fun teacher who makes learning fun," said the pupil who nominated her.

Dillon, who is single, is the extended day program coordinator for the afternoon session at Roanoke Academy. In her spare time she enjoys cooking.