class pet hamster

Question
We recently got a hamster for a class pet. I believe the hamster is 5 or 6 months old. I'm not sure wether it's a boy or girl but we call it Tinkles. I was recently told that she needed to be handled in order to familurize her with humans and tame her. She would bite so no one wanted to do this. I have taken this responsibility however I'm not sure if I'm going about it in the best way. Our class is 3 to 6 year olds (somewhat calm but very self controling.) Starting Monday I took her from her cage and allowed the children to come up one at a time and gently stroke her back. She bit me 4 times. Each time I brought her to eye level and told her "No Biting". I had her out for about 1/2 hour. I brought her out again the next day and repeated the process only she didn't bite me once. Again today I brought her out for 1/2 hour but I allowed the children to continue working in the classroom as I carried her around and once in awhile a child or two would come pet her.  Are we doing to much at once or too quickly? Should she always be in a quite place never around children? these are all things I have heard from unreliable sources. All your help would be truely appreciated. Any advice? Will the children ever be able to hold her with adult help?
Thank you. Charity-FDP Alaska

Answer
No your doing it fine. Working with it alot and as soon as you can is the best way for the hamster to become familiarized with the class and you. Soon the hamster will learn that the children and you mean no harm and It won't bite. Next time when chooing a class hamster, choose a young hamster that is already friendly. To do this just pick a hamster that has no problems with you picking it up right off the bat and doesn't squirm much. Survey several pet stores if you need to find the perfect one. It usualy doesn't take that long to find at least one good one, and If it does it will be well worth it. Good luck!