I would like to recommend Pat Shelley to receive the Education Hall of Fame Award.

I first met Pat in January of 1977. My son was in her first class. All three of my children were fortunate to be in her classroom. I knew Pat not only as a teacher, but also as a co-worker and a friend.

I think all teachers have an impact on their students’ lives, but I can speak from experience that Pat had a very positive influence on the students who passed through her class. Her students learned more than reading and writing. Her students’ desire to learn was reflected from Pat’s desire to not just teach, but to be the best teacher she could be.

One of her former students told me they missed a lot of recesses in ‘Miss Shelley’s’ third grade, but they sure know their multiplication facts.

Pat was a good role model for her students and for anyone else who knew her. I worked two years in third grade as a teacher’ s aide. Pat always conducted herself in a professional manner and yet her students always felt comfortable coming to her with problems or concerns. Her dedication and desire to teach touched each child in her class. Pat would work one on one with students during recess when she did not have duty. She was always the first one at work and almost always the last one to leave. Her room was always very organized. She took great pride in her class and the teaching profession.

Hillary Clinton once said, "It takes a whole village to raise a child". Alquina Elementary School was blessed to have ‘Miss Shelley’ as part of their village.

Thank you for considering ‘Miss Shelley’ for the Education Hall of Fame Award.

Respectively submitted,

Claudia Holmlund