New 5th Grade Teacher Pam Powers
Launch the media gallery 1 playerPLMS Welcomes Pam Powers as our newest 5th-grade teacher. Pam replaces Torrie Ellis who is moving up to 6th grade Language Arts. Mrs. Powers was born and raised in Ottawa, Kansas and graduated from Ottawa High School. After graduation, she attended and graduated from The University of Kansas. She spent 8 years teaching in a private school, one year at the first-grade level and seven years as a 5th-grade teacher. She then left the Private school to teach in the Lawrence Public School where she has spent 11 years, the past 7 years at Sunflower Elementary teaching 2nd grade.
Mrs. Powers has been married for 28 years to Darren Powers and has one daughter, Ashley who is 23. They also have "the cutest golden retriever "grand" puppy that she and her husband just adore. Her name is Hadley and she is a little over one year old." In her free time, Mrs. Powers loves gardening as it allows her to be outside and spend time digging in the dirt. She also loves traveling with her family.
When asked why she wanted to be a teacher she responded: "When I was 13 years old I spent my 1st summer training to become a swim instructor and lifeguard. I had an amazing mentor who I learned a great deal from, who was also a 2nd-grade teacher. She taught me many things over the course of many summers, but the most important thing she taught me was the love of teaching children and enjoying watching them grow and have success. I have enjoyed that experience every year of my life since that first summer! Whether it be teaching, coaching, training, or providing care for little ones, I have been loving it every year since I was 13."
Mrs. Powers is looking forward to coming back to 5th grade. She really enjoyed teaching that age and is looking forward to challenging their young minds. She also wants everyone to know that she is a true Jayhawk! She bleeds crimson and blue! She loves KU basketball as well as most KU sports and attends many of their games.
Welcome to USD 343 Mrs. Powers!