With a teaching style uniquely her own, Joanne Thompson strove to make learning a fun and captivating experience for hundreds of young children.

Colleagues said the Wheaton elementary school teacher drew out the best in pupils by transforming her classroom into an exploratory adventure, infused with an abundance of laughter, music and art.

"Each child was a shining star to her, soaring with potential," said fellow teacher Peggy Hmelyar. "Students just beamed whenever they were around her. She boosted their self-confidence and made them feel so good about themselves."

Mrs. Thompson, 58, of Wheaton, a 1st-grade teacher at Longfellow Elementary School in Wheaton, died of pancreatic cancer Thursday, Aug. 26, in Central Du Page Hospital in Winfield.

Born and raised on Chicago's Northwest Side, Mrs. Thompson graduated from Schurz High School in 1964. It was there she met and began dating her husband of 36 years, Bill.

"As far back as high school she'd always wanted to be a teacher," said her husband. "I thought she'd be great with children because she was the most patient and gentle person I'd ever met."

Mrs. Thompson received a bachelor's degree in education from Western Illinois University in 1968, where she minored in music. In 1992, she received a master's degree in early childhood education from National-Louis University.

"She was always looking for new ideas and ways to reach her students," said her husband. "Her main goal was to instill a love of learning and to have her kids absolutely love to come to school."

In 1984, Mrs. Thompson joined Longfellow School as a kindergarten teacher, after having worked as a classroom aide. Over the next two decades, she taught 1st and 2nd grade, choosing year after year to stay with younger children, despite the rigors of the job.

"There was something about the little ones that energized her and just stole her heart," said her husband.

According to her colleagues, Mrs. Thompson's teaching style often reflected her love of music and the arts. Each spring she taught pupils about the sea by turning her classroom into a virtual aquarium. She added to the fun with fish-themed art projects and seafaring singalongs, which were accompanied by her on piano.

"She got her students hooked on learning by making it visually exciting and fun," said Paul McKinney, principal of Longfellow School. "One couldn't help but peek inside her classroom to look at the beautiful array of colors she used to teach them about the wonders of the sea."

Other survivors include a son, Eric; a daughter, Karin; and a brother, Howard Hess.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sept. 12 in Memorial Park at Union Avenue and Hale Street, Wheaton.