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

DATE: MONDAY, May 23, 1994                   TAG: 9405250073
SECTION: NEWSFUN                    PAGE: NF-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TEACHER OF WEEK

To Janice Wymer, reading and creative writing go hand-in-hand - even in the first grade. ``You have to teach both at the same time,'' she said. ``Once the children see that they can be authors, they're encouraged to read.''

Wymer says one of the things she likes best about first-graders is their ability to express themselves creatively. ``They'll write about anything. Their imagination just pours out onto paper.''

Wymer says talking about what interests them before they put it down on paper encourages her pupils to write. When they're finished, they may share their work with their classmates, but are not required to do so.

A positive self-image promotes reading, and vice-versa, Wymer says. ``Reading helps them see they can do anything,'' she said. ``Mrs. Wymer is funny and nice. She makes school fun,'' said one of her nominators.

A 22-year teaching veteran, Wymer is married and the mother of Kathryn, a fourth-grader. She enjoys painting and drawing.

by CNB