ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Tuesday, February 27, 1996             TAG: 9602270087
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
DATELINE: RINER
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE STAFF WRITER 

NEW AUBURN SCHOOL PRINCIPAL MEANS BUSINESS

There's a new sheriff roaming the halls at Auburn High and Middle School, looking to lasso baseball hats and keep the peace.

Her name's Pat Fenton, and she's a familiar face to those who've been around.

Last week - her first week as assistant principal of the school - Fenton approached two boys to warn them their baseball caps would be hers if they wore them again.

"One student knew me as the principal of [last year's] summer school program, and as I walked away he said, 'She means business so you'd better watch it,'" she said.

Fenton replaces Don Williams, who resigned midyear to take a job as principal of a school in Frederick County.

Fenton began teaching after earning her degree in early childhood education from Radford College. She went back to what became Radford University - once for a master's degree in reading, and again for a master's in educational leadership.

That degree, which she just completed in December, took several years and more than 500 hours of working in the schools.

Fenton taught at Christiansburg Primary School for seven years, then at Glenvar High School in Roanoke before moving to North Carolina where she taught middle school for a decade.

Now she's back in a brand new role.

She says she's going to miss teaching, but "I like challenges, that's why I chose to try administration."

Even though her husband remains in a teaching job in Shallotte, N.C., Fenton said it's nice to be back.

"I can't remember how many students came up and introduced themselves. I've been very pleased - the student body is very respectful," she said.

Fenton said her main duty as chief disciplinarian has been relatively easy because the staff has already organized conduct rules. Each offense is listed with its corresponding punishment and published in every pupil's Eagle Pride assignment notebook.

Because this is an interim position, Fenton will have to reapply for the job next fall. Whatever happens, she's thrilled to have had so many positive experiences.

"My husband calls me every night and asks 'How's it going?' and I say 'You would not believe how well it's going,'" she said.

LENGTH: Medium:   54 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  Lisa Applegate. Pat Fenton says she's going to miss 
          teaching, but "I like challenges, that's why I chose to try 
          administration." color.