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

DATE: MONDAY, November 27, 1995                   TAG: 9511290024
SECTION: NEWSFUN                    PAGE: NF-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TEACHER OF THE WEEK

John Hocker doesn't see himself as a dispenser of knowledge. "I'm just the facilitator," he says.

Hocker, who teaches fourth- and fifth-grade combination classes at the Science, Math and Technology Demonstration School at Dublin Elementary, says children most always will seek and acquire information on their own.

"To create lifelong learners is my goal," he said. "But, as a teacher, I'm just a presenter. I'm here to point the students in the right direction."

Hocker said he believes it is important to involve his pupils in all the decisions affecting them. A good sense of humor also comes in handy in the classroom, he said.

"Mr. Hocker is smarter than smart. He loves his job and his students." said his nominators. "He lets us solve our own problems and make our own choices."

A graduate of Virginia Tech, Hocker has taught for 18 years, always at Dublin Elementary. He is the father of two children and enjoys technology, reading and writing.

by CNB