European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 27, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Monday August 27, 1990 the stars and stripes Page 9education in her class my kias organize their lives fills her Days a by Jimi Jones education writer Heidelberg West Germany a a Long computer drawn sign on the bulletin Board in the Heidelberg High school office reads a a has teachers Are tops Quot that a a True sign. At least for one of them. Pamela k. Barney a social studies and English teacher there was named outstanding teacher of the year in a Competition among teachers throughout the United states and the department of defense dependents schools. As part of her Reward Barney spent time last month in the Oval office with president Bush who praised her contributions to excellence in education. Quot it was wonderful Quot she said. Quot it was like walking through a dream and when it was Over you Pinch yourself to see if you actually did  Bush lived up to her expectations she said. Quot he seems to be a very decent  he presented himself As a a very compassionate Man a said the native of Goshen ind. She and her family were Given a private tour of the White House and she received a Check for $10,000, a minus  she was accompanied by her husband col. Daniel g. Barney who is assigned to the Headquarters of . Army Europe her son Scott a . Reserve lieutenant who expects to be called to Active duly because of the crisis in the persian Gulf and her daughter Elizabeth a Junior at the College of Wooster in Ohio. Barney said the Short White House ceremony which was attended by defense Secretary Dick Cheney made her feel  but Back in the classroom now she said she finds the title somewhat intimidating. Quot i get the feeling that people expect miracles now and in a still the same person i was  but she will overcome that she said and Quot not let it color How i think i should  How she performs earned her the top teacher award so she has no plans to change. She establishes an honest relationship with her students Early on. Quot in a the Boss. This is my world in Here a she said. Quot in a a structured per son. I like organization. My students will know for weeks what they re expected to do. A Quot to can Agurs need to learn How to organize their lives. The Best Way to learn is to follow an example and learn by doing. I try to maintain a classroom that is highly organized. A but we have fun too. We do a lot of laughing. The Cardinal sin of teaching is to take yourself too  Barney a teacher at Heidelberg for five years says she thinks her students appreciate that kind of relationship. Quot they seem to like coming into this class and afterwards they say they Learned a lot and had a lot of  the primary key to being the kind of teacher who makes learning and fun happen is communication Barney said. A communication is first. You have to make sure that they understand what you want and what you re saying. Quot another characteristic is what i Call  a that is something that sets you apart from the student and a the ability to organize yourself and present material a she said. And Quot competency helps a whole lot. Its important to know your Field a added the Magna cum laude graduate of Butler University in Indianapolis ind Barney said it is a mystery to her Why she stood out in the pile of applicants for teacher of the year. A i Haven to any idea. There Are awfully Good teachers out there who did t apply. And there arc ones who did apply who Are very Fine people. What made me different or better As far As the Applina lion materials i done to know Quot but her achievement reinforces her belief that a you should try for something even if you think you la never win it. In a a living example of  the Best thing about teaching is working with teen agers she said. Quot i done to think of myself As molding Young lives. I just enjoy staying Modem with them and having my thinking constantly stimulated. I love to learn. A i tried not teaching. I did not enjoy it. I Tike being in a school and around teen agers. And her Reward a seeing kids succeed a she said. Quot seeing them Able to take charge of their own  applications available for teacher of the year teachers in european schools can win up to $10,000 and be recognized at the White House in a Competition that earns them the teacher of the year title. But the application deadline is rapidly approaching. Schools must have teacher of the year applications in District superintendents offices by sept 5. Applications Are available from principals. To be eligible for selection teachers must be employed full time As a classroom teacher or a specialist and must have served at least three years with the department of defense dependents schools. Nominees must have worked at least two years with the administrator or supervisor and must prove commendable Community service. Exceptional performance ratings for the past two years and exceptional instructional skills also Are requirements. The teacher must demonstrate outstanding relationships with parents Community colleagues and administration. Interested persons also can Contact regional offices Stephanie Rogers in the Atlantic Region Frank of Gara in West Germany and Dwight Reynolds in the Mediterranean. Sat Jum Jones although her English and social studies classes Are highly organized Heidelberg teacher Pamela Barney says she spices learning with laughter. Teens put the pressure on Peers to avoid drugs by Steve Taylor Munich Bureau a group of teen agers gathering last week at a self directed strategy session in their War against drugs has decided to employ a favored tactic of its enemy a peer pressure. The 150 students mostly from communities in West Germany met under the auspices of youth services in Vicenza Italy to map their strategy at the youth to youth conference. This first Europe wide conference was planned by youths from the Vicenza area who Range in age from 14 to 19. They organized the gathering after they gained experience from a local workshop in Vicenza last fall said Teresa Floyd Vicenza a youth services coordinator. The students set the Agenda and did about 90 percent of the work with Only minimal guidelines from adult coordinators. Behind this youth led conference is the belief that peer pressure works not Only on the negative Side of drug use but also on the positive Side of drug avoidance. Quot a lot of kids these Days Are reached by peer pressure a said Dawn Phillips 17, of huh ends West Germany. Quot a lot of lives May be saved if people get the message to stay away from or get off  Jill Pavoli the youth to youth program coordinator at Vicenza said the program is More than a one time shot at drug education. A a it a not a typical conference where you sit Down and get lectured about drugs and alcohol Quot Pavoli said. The conference was designed to allow the teens to explore their own personal feelings and altitudes toward drugs and alcohol. She said the teens performed skits did role playing and had group sessions to share experiences. Other events such As a min sports Competition showed that staying drug free can he fun she said. Another purpose of the program was to train both the teens and youth services representatives. Pavoli and Floyd want to see the program spread throughout other communities m Europe. Quot the More kids you can make to want to become drug free a the More it influences others said Pavoli who was the youth to youth director in Columbus Ohio until last year. A i think that we learn things from other youths a said Niki Buther 15, from Vicenza who helped set up the conference. A a it a More effective that Way. It Sticks