"The teacher so many of us wish we could be" is how one of her peers describes world history teacher Valarie Young. Her teaching methods are so exceptional that a well-known textbook publishing company recently spent two days in her classroom to record her teaching for a DVD, as a model of how to effectively integrate technology into content areas. Her classroom is a haven for creativity and originality, as she encourages students to present reports and projects in unusual ways, such as incorporating dancing and playing musical instruments. Among Ms. Young's most effective teaching strategies is an extensive Web site she created that takes users from the birth of civilization through to current events and history in the making. In addition to providing in-depth study opportunities for 27 historical periods, the site also contains resources for writing, research and study help, class lecture notes, project task sheets, online quizzes and Ms. Young's cell phone number and e-mail address. On the Web site's assignment page is a special message for her students: "Remember you are awesome and I am so excited to be your teacher." Many students feel the same way about her.
