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

DATE: MONDAY, March 20, 1995                   TAG: 9503210027
SECTION: NEWSFUN                    PAGE: NF3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TEACHER OF WEEK

Hidden Valley Junior High

Alma Osborn doesn't care what books her seventh-grade language/arts pupils read. She cares only that they read. "That's my job - to keep them reading," she said.

Osborn doesn't mind if her pupils' writings are missing a period or minus a comma. "I focus on content, not grammar," she said.

Osborn, who has taught for 25 years, introduced reading/writing workshops at Hidden Valley Junior High in Roanoke County.

During writing workshops, her pupils have conferences with their teacher and their peers to critique their writing.

"Writing every day focuses them to organize their thoughts. Sometimes they're surprised that they really have wonderful ideas," Osborn said.

Osborn's classes are required to read for at least 30 minutes every day. Her pupils choose their own books and are required to read a minimum of four books each nine weeks.

"Mrs. Osborn is one of the most fascinating people I have ever met," said her nominator. "Her knowledge of literature and writing is just astounding."

Married and the mother of two daughters and a son, Osborn enjoys needlework, reading and cooking.