It is with pride that I write this letter of recommendation to accept Pat Shelley into the Educational Hall of Fame. I am in a unique position as I have gotten to know Pat in a variety of avenues. I knew her, quite well, as a parent of students in her classroom, as a colleague at Alquina Elementary School, and as a personal friend.

Pat was the third grade teacher for all three of my sons. Even though they each had their own unique learning style and ability, she was always able to make them feel their own uniqueness with confidence and trust. Pat did whatever it took to help each of them reach their own potential in each situation. That ability was not restricted to my own boys. This talent was unique to Pat’s entire classroom. As in most classrooms, there is often a wide range of learning abilities, social status’ and personalities. In Pat’s classroom, acceptance of those differences was the rule, NOT the exception. Her communication with the parents of her students was always positive even when there was genuine concerns. But, genuine needs to be used to describe her heart for her students. They were always her number one concern.

As her colleague, I discovered that her genuineness was illustrated in her dedication to her job. Pat started each school year weeks earlier than required spending hours at the school preparing the classroom for her new students. Her school day started each morning when she arrived at 7:00 AM without fail. It didn’t end at 3:30.. .she always packed her satchel with work to do at home. She even asked me to bring her satchel to her so she could grade papers while she was in Intensive Care at the hospital. It was not unusual to see her car in the parking lot of the school on Sunday afternoons.

As my work relationship with Pat continued for 13 years, we developed a friendship outside of the school setting. Her personal life was just that...she showed definite interest in what was going on in my life, but was very protective of the privacy of her own life. As our friendship grew, I realized that her life was her dedication to education. I continually discovered that her love for her students and their education’s went beyond just the year she had them in her classroom. Pat continued to share her concerns that the encouragement and finances needed to continue educational opportunities beyond high school would not be available to some students. That encouragement and support was, likewise, extended to her relatives who were inspired by their Aunt Pat to complete their college education.

Pat was a dedicated teacher, co-worker, and friend. I will greatly miss our excursions to the movies and our occasional summer day trips. Her death has left a tremendous void in my life and the lives of all of us at Alquina School. But, I know, in my heart, that Pat’s desire would be for the education of her students, past and present, to continue as if she was right there encouraging them herself.

Respectfully submitted,

Pam Krepp
Parent, Colleague, Friend