The colleague who inspired me most probably doesn't even know she had any influence on my career at all. Pam Arbuthnot coached my softball team when I was 8 or 9 years old. The entire team adored her and would do anything for her. Later on, when I was a young teacher and a new mom, Pam had my little brother in her class. I stopped by one day during my planning time to catch them playing games. A bunch of 3rd or 4th graders (I don't remember which) were gathered around her counting one by one in a round - every time they got to a multiple of 7, they had to say "BEEP." I remember struggling with the "sevens" and these kids were eating it up, thrilled for their turn to come. That glimpse of her class made an impression on me that was reinforced later on when we taught at the same middle school. I was hired after the school year had already started and my principal wisely had me spend a day observing some of his best teachers before I stepped into a classroom of my own. Pam had her sixth grade class clamoring to show her how much they had learned. They were anxious to please her and demonstrate their accomplishments. I left her room hoping that I would be able to get a class to WANT to do what I was asking them to do. I had already been teaching for three or four years, but during the time I worked with Pam, I learned how to teach students rather than how to teach science. Maybe it's a common trap for math and science teachers - to focus on the content and curriculum rather than the learner. But eventually just teaching the content isn't enough. No science demonstration is impressive enough to win the hearts of your students because you also have to get them to care about the more difficult tasks, not just the fun ones. Pam was a master at this. Now she is the principal at the same elementary school that she and I both attended as children. My nieces and nephews attend that same school and my sisters volunteer in those classrooms. The entire school district benefits from the early training students get under her care and leadership. She remains one of the most inspiring colleagues I have ever worked with.
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