Pamm Shelton has made a difference in the lives of Shelburne's children for more than 22 years. As school librarian, at the Village School, the Middle School and now at the Shelburne Community School, Pamm has introduced our children to the magic of books, the delight of imagination, and the power of literacy. She has surrounded herself with the things she loves … children, books, learning, knowledge … and by example, has helped each of us love those things too.

The Shelburne Community School library is open to the community one evening a week and in the summer. Thanks, Pamm. Hundreds of adults have volunteered to lead literature discussions through our Reading Power and Reading, Inc. programs. Thanks, Pamm. Integrated theme studies are supported by hundreds of books being delivered and housed on the teams for ease of research. Thanks again, Pamm. Animated "book talks" introduce students to the newest, the best, and the most celebrated books, as well as the classics and tried and true favorites that have stood the test of time. Circulation of the school's more than 30,000, books topped 55,000.

Again, we have Pamm to thank. Pamm worked tirelessly to craft Shelbume's Multicultural Policy and then backed up that policy by finding multiple ways to celebrate diversity in all its forms. Our Diversity Week offerings are outstanding. The Bolton Valley Ski Program, roller blading, the "thank-you" list goes on and on.

For a long time, Pamm fulfilled her dream to make a difference through her work in the Shelburne schools. Next month, Pamm will leave Shelburne to pursue a dream she hopes will make a difference in the lives of children in another village ... the village of Morutsa in Botswana, Africa. In Morutsa she will con-tinue to surround herself with the things she loves ... children, books, learning, knowledge... and again, by example, she will help the 93 adults and 43 children of this village learn to love them too.

She has made two trips to Botswana in the last two years. Following in the foot-steps of friend and author Jan Reynolds, Pamm documented her visits with photographs and video in the hopes of writing a book and shared her experiences with Shelburne's students. But Pamm has moved beyond the visitor now; her goals are different. Her goals have merged with the goals and the needs of the people of Morutsa: to dig a well that will bring fresh water for drinking and washing to the village for the first time, to maintain a litter campaign to remove and recycle trash from the village and the surrounding areas, to train two parents (already volunteered) to bring a head start-type program to the village, and to bring clothing, learning materials and books to the people of Morutsa.

It is difficult to imagine the Shelburne Community School library without Pamm in it. It is difficult to imagine Shelbume's children untouched by Pamm's love of literacy, diversity, and adventure. But less difficult, I think, when we imagine her sharing her energy, commitment and love with children (and adults) in another village … a village that needs and wants her very much.

Return to the SCS Archives web page

Home Page maintained by Greg Thweatt
gthweatt@shelburne.k12.vt.us
Last updated: Sept. 26, 1997