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Teachers
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For the last twenty-one years Pam Schmitt has worked at St. Patrick School, and the previous four years she worked as a volunteer for the school. Currently she teaches religion, science, and math. Holding a BA from the University of Northern Iowa in Mathematics Education and a secondary teaching certificate in mathematics, biology, and general science, it follows she enjoys scientific exploration and logic. Her latest class work includes Child and Adolescent Literature and Multicultural Approach to Teaching. Working with the seven and eighth graders provides her the opportunity to continue to learn new ways to approach a topic and present different and new ideas as the curriculum changes and evolves.
Integrating technology into the curriculum in science for research, writing, and projects is a top priority for Pam. Project based learning like A World in Motion (AWIM) allows the students to practice skills in a more realistic way as they prepare for their future. Other times Unit D works together on cross curricular projects are in religion when studying martyrs and prophets and in science and social studies when studying wetlands.
Pam's students participate in school-wide service, but also select a special focus in the classroom to meet a need in the community, either locally or more global, such as baskets for families at holidays or boxes sent to military. Each year the unit takes a field trip connected to their studies in religion. One year they visit two religious communities, Dubuque and Peosta, and the alternate year they travel to the Basilica in Dyersville and Loras College in Dubuque. The first trip ties into their study of the history of Church, since religious communities have helped provide many of the needed aspects of community like education and health care. The second trip ties in to their call to service and life long faith development.
Some highlights of Pam’s career at St. Patrick School are teaching her own children, celebrating the Grade 8 Mass each year, receiving the Gary Dickenson Award for AWIM (A World in Motion), receiving a Gold Star Award for teaching, and being named Mix 96 Teacher of the Week in January of 2007. All of these were only possible with the cooperation and efforts of the rest of the Unit D staff and teachers.
Other school involvement has included Archdiocese Technology Trainer for 3 years, Pilot Progress Report Committee for two years, Technology Core Committee member for 21 years, Unit Leader for Grade 7/8 for 14 years, Science curriculum committee for 13 years, Curriculum committee for CVCS transitional board for 2 years, SAE Bill Agnew Award Board for 4 years.
As a parish member Pam has lectored at Sunday Masses, been a Communion Minister for parish Masses and Sartori Hospital, worked with the Guardian Angel ministry, donated food for community meals and funerals, taught Religious Education, and worked many fall festivals.
Pam and Greg Schmitt met when Pam was teaching in Independence and Greg was working in parts in Cedar Falls. On July 21, 1979, they were married and later that year joined St. Patrick Parish. They are blessed with two children, Steven and Stephanie, and one grandchild, Lily. Sadly, Greg died after an accident in 2007. Pam currently resides with her father, Ray Kane, in Cedar Falls. |
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