The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, May 30, 1996                TAG: 9605300013
SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A14  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                            LENGTH:   25 lines

GIFTED EDUCATOR

I read with interest and delight ``Ahead of the Curve'' (news, May 26) and the fact that Tarrallton Elementary students scored so well on standardized tests. One teacher at the school noted that Principal Charles Clay has high expectations of the faculty members, confidence in their ability, and gives them the freedom to implement new ideas and activities.

I was delighted to hear that Mr. Clay continues to influence education in such an enthusiastic and positive way. As a student in his sixth- and seventh-grade classes in 1966 and 1967, those are the very same characteristics that I best remember about Mr. Clay. As I look back on 12 years of public school, four years of college and three years of law school, I can point to no one educator who had a more-significant impact on my overall education, and I know that many of my classmates would agree.

The Norfolk public schools have been fortunate to have had such a gifted educator for all these decades.

MICHAEL E. ORNOFF

Chesapeake, May 26, 1996 by CNB