Pam Haskins

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher to feed my soul. I wanted to be the positive aspect in children’s lives. Let them know there was someone in their corner supporting them, believing in them, loving, and encouraging them to be successful no matter their situation. I wanted to expose them to the world, places to go. I wanted to help make them be good people, to show kindness, love, and compassion. I wanted my students to have place where they could be safe and loved no matter what.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

The one I tell my students about Jeante. It was my second year teaching. Jeante was a student that a history of violence. The first week of school, Jeante came in and said,” I hurt my hand by hitting the brick wall.” I looked at his hand and asked how the brick wall was. I will never forget the look on his face. On last day in fifth grade, I handed him his certificate. He was crying. He told me he hated me because he didn’t want to leave me. His way of telling me he loved me.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would buy new desks for my classroom that aren’t wobbly. I would take $ 10,000 to fly my daughter,Lauren, her husband, four grandchildren, my husband and me to visit my son and his family in Hawaii. My son, Matthew, is a former Marine. It would be the first and only time, both my children and their families would be together. I would pay some bills off. I would donate some to Western North Carolina flood victims. I would love to go back toSteve Spangler Science in the Rockies Science program.