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

DATE: MONDAY, May 17, 1993                   TAG: 9305180075
SECTION: NEWSFUN                    PAGE: NF3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TEACHER OF THE WEEK

You never know what kind of contraption you might find when Susan Julian's fifth-graders hold their "Invention Convention." After studying about inventions, each of Julian's pupils comes up with an invention, names it, writes about it and presents it to parents.

Julian says not only do her pupils learn about inventions and exercise their creativity, they get a good dose of self-esteem from their projects. "It makes them feel great. They're always surprised they could create something original."

Her pupils' self-esteem is important to Julian. "I try to teach my children that they must believe in themselves," she said. "A good parent-teacher-child relationship is important. They should know we're all behind them," she said.

"I love Mrs. Julian like I would love my mother. She cares for us like she would her children at home," said one of her nominators.

Julian said she especially enjoys the diversity of the pupils found in a magnet school. Married and the mother of three children, she enjoys aerobics, tennis and crafts.

If you have a nomination for Teacher of the Week, send the name of the nominee, his or her school and why you think that teacher should be honored. Include your name, telephone number and school and send to NewsFun, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010-2491.