Hello Everyone!
My name is Ms. Pamela Vanessa Howard. I am originally from Stone Mountain, Ga. and like my students, I too am a product of Dekalb County’s School System. However, I transferred to an Atlanta Public School my sophomore year and graduated from D. M. Therrell High School. My mother kept me active by placing me in sports (softball), taking piano lessons, singing lessons, auditioning for parts, and competing in beauty pageants as well as talent shows. I was in the National Honor’s Society, Performing Arts at Avondale High School, Cheerleading Squad, High Stepper’s Dance Team, Drama Club, Yearbook Committee, and various other clubs.
I have always dreamed of being an educator due to being constantly surrounded by educators all of my life. Both of my father’s parents worked within the school system in addition to my aunts being elementary teachers, high school teachers, Assistant Principals, and Principals. However, after I graduated from high school, I immediately chose the path of entrepreneurship like my mother. I became a Master Cosmetologist and purchased my first salon at the age of 19 and the 4th salon at the age of 30. Due to the shift of the economy and allergic reactions to various products, I decided that it was time to continue our family’s legacy in education as well as fulfilling my dream.
I was accepted into Georgia State University’s Educational Program and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 4.0 G.PA. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Education Pre-K through 5th grade, a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Reading & Literacy, and I'm ESOL endorsed. I am currently working on obtaining an EdS in Early Childhood Education to prepare me for my ultimate goal of being in Administration.
Although I am unable to have children, I am blessed to have 22 babies/students this year who truly value and deserve the abundance of time, attention, and small token rewards that I am able to give them every Friday for demonstrating great character traits and work ethics. Keeping my students active within the classroom by integrating music, art, drama, and real-life connections within cross-curricular contexts, affords them the same wonderful experiences that I received as a youth. I teach my students about life through each content area and select different learning environments within the school grounds depending on the lesson’s common core standard. Life doesn’t happen inside of a box, and it is important for students to connect their learning to the world around them.
I allow my students to work collaboratively, share their ideas and concerns, and express their level of comprehension verbally, visually, and within their writings. It is imperative for me to make sure that each student’s learning needs are being addressed as well as making sure they are being purposefully challenged. Therefore, I study each student’s learning needs, personality, culture, previous grade level benchmark assessments, current Star scores, classroom assessments, and work ethics to assist me with designing their curriculum and small groups. My students are also challenged to think critically on a daily basis and are required to explain their reasoning within each content area in order to receive a grade for “Participation”.
It is my job to make sure that all 25 of my babies/students are safe, learning, being challenged, understand how the world works around them, learn to apply all of the skills and information that they have learned thus far, understand what it means to be a model citizen, can communicate their ideas and opinions clearly, and think critically no matter how challenging 5th grade, middle school, or life may appear to be. With that being said, I, Ms. Howard, am an educator who believes in making my classroom a home away from home that is filled with positive energy, laughter, fun and challenging activities that afford students a wealth of real-life experiences. I not only desire to teach my students how to make the most out of their educational experiences, but also how to simply enjoy life and the world around them.
Imagine a 10 year old who hates school, but is placed in a classroom from 7:30 to 2:30 with a teacher who listens to her students ideas, concerns, learning needs and learning style, allows him or her to move around, work with others and individually, teaches in different environments, acknowledges and respects students individualities/culture, considers his or her interests when choosing their assignments, and most of all creates a classroom where students laugh, learn, love, and learn to live life to the fullest. This teacher’s name is Ms. Howard, and she is a 5th grade homeroom teacher at Brockett Elementary who has a few students that recently hated coming to school, but now they cheerfully enter the classroom asking, “What are we going to learn today Ms. Howard?”. These are the most rewarding moments that give me the strength to continue to do what I love most which is living my dream and keeping my family’s legacy in education alive.
Sincerely,
Ms. Howard
5th Grade Homeroom Teacher
M.Ed. Early Childhood Education (Reading & Literacy)
ESOL Endorsed
Contact Information
678-874-2667