Meet the teacher -- Lynn Holden

What's the most innovative idea you've tried in your classroom? This last year I piloted the use of iPods in the classroom. I didresearch on the impact of the use of iPods on math achievement. My research showed that my students did significantly better on the math portion of a nationally norm referenced test, Measures of Academic Progress (MAP).

Tell us about the best teacher you ever had and what made them special? My 4th grade teacher Mrs. Montgomery in Medford, Oregon instilled in me a sense of empathy and compassion that has stayed with me over 40 years. She was unwavering in her adherence to the "golden rule." I find that I return to it time and again with my own 4th grade students.

What can parents do to prepare their children for learning? Model learning in their own lives. It is essential to not only read to your children, but also read yourself. If you want your children to experience art, music, history or science, model how those things are a part of your everyday life.

What are the obstacles to getting all kids to achieve? The ability to teach children to love to learn while also teaching them to be good test takers. My job is not to get a student to pass a test, but to instill in them a sense of who they are and what they can become. I hope that no nine- or 10-year-old becomes discouraged and decides that they are not smart enough or capable just because a test score has labeled them as below grade level. We start testing and sorting children into groups at younger and younger ages. We don't give them time to just be kids and learn for learning's sake. The more our own "success" is tied to this, the more we, as teachers, feel pressured to pressure them.

Do you know a metro Atlanta teacher or college professor that would be good to feature in this column:? Send your nomination and the educator's contact information to ednotes@ajc.com. We also need a high resolution jpeg photo of the teacher.