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

DATE: FRIDAY, June 10, 1994                   TAG: 9406170029
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

PRODUCT OF MCHARG RETIRES AS ITS PRINCIPAL

Henry, who retires this year, started school at the old McHarg Elementary School and grew up to become a teacher and administrator. She spent 33 years working in the city school system.

The School Board planned to recognize Henry and other retirees at its meeting Thursday.

Henry taught at Belle Heth Elementary until 1985 when she moved to McHarg Elementary.

She has seen education change through the years - mostly for the better.

When she started, there were no guidance counselors, special education, art or physical education teachers. Classroom teachers took care of almost everything. There wasn't a full-time librarian or a gifted program.

"I think the children grow from having people who are trained in those fields," Henry said.

Though schools now have many things they didn't years ago, corporal punishment is no longer practiced. As a result, she said it's harder to discipline the pupils.

"I was never a believer in spanking someone else's child, but it did help that the kids knew you could," Henry said.

"I'm a people person. I like to be with people - I think that's why I like school work," she said. "I hope I've had some positive influence on children and their lives," Henry said.

Staff members at McHarg Elementary have no doubt about Henry's dedication and accomplishments.

"The children were first and foremost. She certainly will be missed," said Nancy Young, Henry's secretary for nearly 10 years. "Anything for the children."

"She'll step in or she'll speak for you in a positive way," said Debbie Link, who teaches second grade. "She really does support the work that we do."

"She has allowed me the freedom to be the teacher that I would like to be," said Joann Lineburg, who teaches physical education for kindergarten through third grade. "I consider it a real privilege to have worked under her."

Teachers described Henry as fair, friendly and considerate.

"The first day I came to work she waited in her car and walked in with me," said Kitty McMillion, who teaches second grade.

She said Henry helped her relax. "Not too many supervisors make the extra effort to do that."

Henry also credited her staff. Henry said many good people work for the school - teachers, secretaries, custodians and cafeteria workers. "I think all of that makes a successful school."

The Radford native has never strayed far from home. She attended Radford University, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1961 and a master's in 1969. She got her doctorate in education from Virginia Tech in 1977.

All of that's about to change because Henry and her husband, Dolph, plan to spend their retirement traveling. They already have reservations for a Caribbean cruise and plan to tour the Pacific Northwest and Vancouver, Canada.

The Henrys also will have more time to visit their son, Dolph Henry III, his wife, Judy, and their 16-year-old daughter Jessica, who live in Columbus, Ohio.

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