ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Monday, March 4, 1996                  TAG: 9603060096
SECTION: NEWSFUN                  PAGE: 3    EDITION: METRO 

TEACHER OF THE WEEK

Brad Hughes

Sixth grade

Hidden Valley Junior High

Brad Hughes says he enjoys teaching sixth-graders because of "the excitement they bring into the classroom. They ask a lot of questions; it's never dull," he said.

The feeling is mutual. "He is a very good science teacher, loves to do experiments with us and helps us learn in a fun and interesting way," said the pupil who nominated him.

"I try to make science and language/arts interesting," said Hughes, who has taught in elementary and junior high schools for 16 years. "We do as many hands-on projects as possible. Hands-on projects help keep kids interested in learning. Kids can't get excited when you tell them to open their book and turn to page 376."

Among the projects recently completed by Hughes' Roanoke County pupils are mock space stations, spacecraft and space shuttles using coordinate points and integrating science and math.

A graduate of Radford University, Hughes earned a master's degree in education from the University of Virginia. He is married and the father of three children. His hobbies include gardening, collecting stamps and coins and reading to children.

LENGTH: Short :   34 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  headshot of Hughes