I am proud to nominate one of the finest teachers I have ever known for the FCSC Education Hall of Fame. Pat Shelley did many things worthy of being nominated as Teacher of the Year. While she took pride in her accomplishments, she was never one to blow her own horn, so she always declined nomination. She often did special activities with her classroom but would never alert the building principal or give anyone a heads up to what was going on.

Her class was her life and she poured herself wholeheartedly into it. She would often plan and do hands-on science experiments and growing healthy activities. She took field trips, did pen pal letters, attended Young Author Conferences as well as other extra things to benefit her students.

Pat was very unassuming yet had such high expectations that it often seemed she had little tolerance for less than the best. Even if she was never associated with the "scouts" she truly lived their motto, "Be Prepared"! She was always prepared and organized. She would oftentimes be in the workroom waiting her turn at the copier to run something for a lesson a month in advance while the rest of us were scurrying to get something for that day. She met every deadline ahead of time and could always be counted on to have a copy of that memo the rest of us had lost.

In the twenty-plus years I had the privilege of teaching with Pat I truly gained much insight and wisdom into what is important in this educational rat race. I know I write better plans, run off papers in a more timely fashion, grade, record and return work expediently, and meet deadlines more often, due to watching her. Pat Shelley has not only influenced the lives of many young people but has truly influenced her colleagues as well.

Her friend and colleague, Mark George