K-5th Grade Music, 4th-5th Grade Science, After School Program Teacher
Pam grew up in Chicago, and spent lots of time at the Irving Park YMCA, where she learned to SWIM, twirl a fire baton, paddle a canoe and play guitar. She attended college at NMSU in Las Cruces, NM, where she rock climbed in the Organ Mountains, kayaked in the Rio Grande, and received a BS in Physical Education/Recreation, and Elementary Education Teaching Certification. She worked for the City of Las Cruces Parks and Recreation Department, and later for NMSU as the Aquatic Director. Pam started teaching kindergarten at Sussex School in 1994, and initiated the Sussex After School Program in 1999. Currently she is the afternoon teacher for 2nd/3rd grade, integrating science, social studies, art, music and lots of field trips into the thematic curriculum. Pam tells her students that she aspires to be like Ms. Frizzle (Magic School Bus) ~ "Make mistakes, learn from them, and have boundless energy to explore, experiment and discover!" When Pam's not at Sussex, she takes classes at UM, plays with the pottery wheel, and teaches swimming at the Missoula Family YMCA. Her favorite thing to do is kayak with her 15-year-old son, who was in her kindergarten class and graduated from Sussex School.
What is your teaching philosophy? I believe that the art of education is to continue to grow as long as you live – grow from what you are into what you desire to be. Live to learn and learn to live. I tell the kids I want to be like Ms. Frizzle (Magic School Bus) when I grow up. “Make mistakes, learn from them, have boundless energy to explore, experiment and discover!
Is there anyone in particular who has inspired you as a teacher? Is there anyone in particular who has inspired you as a teacher? When I first started teaching kindergarten, Anne Bertche and Dorothy Morrison encouraged and inspired me to explore and integrate music and the arts into the curriculum. Thom and Sussex gave me the opportunity to attend and experience Orff workshops. These workshops continue to inspire my teaching and my life.
What was your most rewarding experience as a teacher? The 8th grade graduation ceremonies (including the water fests-fights), are always a rewarding experience! Watching the slide show, listening to the graduate speeches, singing the Circle Game…knowing it won’t be long until this year’s kindergarteners will be “on stage”.
What do you love most about teaching? Learning from the kids! And being creative everyday! And receiving wonderful drawings that make me smile!
What do you like to do when you are not teaching? I love water and water sports. I’ve taught swimming lessons from the age of 14 on, and I still teach swimming (and lifeguard) at the YMCA. I love kayaking and playing guitar, laughing with my friends, and talking and walking with our dogs.
Who is the person you admire most in the world? My Dad. He taught me many “life lessons” in a very quiet way. He was a paramedic in WWII and served in the XX Corps, the famed “Ghost Corps”, that went across France into Germany. He experienced amazing adventures and horrific tragedy. He taught me the importance of “giving back” to the community, and he still works for the Deerfield School District as a crossing guard and maintenance person, at 85 years old. He loves the outdoors and has fun, and he continues to show me the importance of following your dreams and doing your best. Thanks Dad!