ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, November 25, 1996 TAG: 9611260008
SECTION: NEWSFUN PAGE: NF-3 EDITION: METRO
When Martha Facemire's husband said she had "the spirit of a kindergartner," Facemire considered it a compliment.
"I have a natural sense of curiosity - I guess I just always want to know more," Facemire said. Kindergartners possess a sense of exploration and an enthusiasm "that makes them fun to teach," she said.
Facemire has taught for eight years at Blacksburg New School, a private school that enrolls 28 children in grades K-5 and has operated for 25 years. Facemire calls it a "parent cooperative."
"Parents donate two hours a week doing everything from cleaning the bathroom to fixing lunch," she explained. The parental movement is one of the things Facemire says makes the school special. "It gives a real sense of community between the teachers and the families."
Facemire is on maternity leave until the end of the school year; she plans to return to teaching next fall. The Virginia Tech graduate and her husband are the parents of 2-week-old Jacob Charles Babendreier. Facemire enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking and camping.
LENGTH: Short : 30 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Martha Facemire, Kindergarten, Blacksburg New School KEYWORDS: 2DAby CNB