Pam Terry is thrilled to be back at her alma mater.
Pam Terry, a 1990 Ozarks graduate who has more than two decades of classroom teaching and administrative experience, was recently named the director of field experiences in the Pat Walker Teacher Education Program.
Terry was hired by University of the Ozarks in July 2015 as assistant professor of practice of education and director of field experiences in the Pat Walker Teacher Education Program. The 1990 Ozarks graduate spent 13 years as a second-grade classroom teacher before serving the last 12 years as principal at Lamar (Ark.) Elementary School.
"I feel extremely blessed to be back at Ozarks where I spent so many wonderful years," said Terry. "I am so grateful for the experiences I have had in education and excited about helping develop future teachers. I feel I am blessed to have the opportunity to come back to the place I feel it all began, University of the Ozarks. I am home."
As director of field experiences, Terry will work closely with teacher education majors in their student-teaching and practicum endeavors.
"I have been in education for many years and have witnessed educators come and go in the field," Terry said. "Some of them were moving to higher levels in their career and some of them were giving up the profession completely. I told my Intern class that I am so excited about beginning a new adventure at Ozarks. I explained to them that my teaching philosophy is a lot like when I taught my daughter to ride her bike. I would help her by pushing the pedals, then run along beside her until she found her balance, then set her off in the right direction and let go. My goal is to work with each student on their Individual professional growth plan through modeling, sharing real teaching experiences and reflective practice. I want to create a professional environment in the University classroom that mirrors the professional environment that is expected in their future work environments."
Terry said her teaching style and philosophy is a culmination of the many educators who have influenced her along the way.
"When I reflect on my philosophy and teaching style I quickly realize that it is modeled after a combination of all the teachers and their common attributes that stand out in my memory," Terry said. "I think the way they presented the information so that it caught my interest, their enthusiasm for the subjects they were teaching, their love of students and how what they wanted their students to learn was relevant to life. I have always thought that the field of teaching and learning is a difficult one due to mandates and changes taking place quickly. However, I stand on the belief that if you love and respect the students and take care of them as you would want someone to care for your own children, that even in difficult times we have the opportunity to encourage them to learn and grow."
Terry, who has a master’s degree in educational leadership from Arkansas Tech University, is a published singer and songwriter. She enjoys playing the piano at her church and singing in the group Redeemed.
Topics: Education