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

DATE: MONDAY, November 21, 1994                   TAG: 9501110028
SECTION: NEWSFUN                    PAGE: NF-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TEACHER OF THE WEEK

"It's a whole lot of trouble," says Lori Sibley of some of the inhabitants of her fifth-grade classroom in Botetourt County. "But it's worth it, because it teaches the kids responsibility, how the food chain works and how to hold animals. The kids think it's great," Sibley said.

"Mrs. Sibley is in love with animals. She would never harm an animal or its home," said the pupil who nominated her. "She tries so hard to help everyone."

Sibley, who has taught for 13 years, is as big a promoter of physical fitness as she is of animals. In October, she coordinated her school's participation in the Bank of Fincastle Fall Run, and is the adviser for Colonial's hiking club.

"I think it's important to encourage skills they can do when they're older. Anybody can hike or walk," she said.

Sibley said she enjoys teaching fifth-graders because of their creativity and enthusiasm. Plus, she said, "They still give hugs."

Sibley is married and the mother of Noah, 2.