TEACHER: Pam Coffman    

SCHOOL: Loxley, Delta and Pine Grove Elementary schools

SUBJECTS TAUGHT: Visual arts

SOMETHING UNUSUAL ABOUT YOURSELF: I was raised in a military background, and character and respect is so important to me. I think my students would be surprised to learn that I was in ROTC myself. I was a VMI — Virginia Military Institute — Keydet. I remember going on weekend excursions with all the boys. I think my military background as helped me become a strong educator.

Pam Coffman calls herself the gypsy art teacher between Delta, Loxley and Pine Grove Elementary   schools. This is Coffman’s ninth year teaching in Baldwin County, and before relocating south, she taught visual arts in Virginia.

Coffman says she decided to teach for many reasons, starting from childhood.

“I was raised in a home of books,” she says. “My parents raised me in an open-minded home — they made sure I saw the whole picture. I teach for the love of the children, the love of art, love of wisdom and knowledge.”

Her favorite part about teaching is her response of love from these children.

“Your love soaks into these children,” Coffman says. “Their response is to love you back. They trust you overwhelmingly; they know love is real. Children think, ‘Wow, I can trust this person.’ That’s when teaching happens.”

Coffman believes an emotional connection is essential to teaching and learning alike.

“Learning doesn’t happen without an emotion,” she says. “Children will remember what they learned for life.”

When Coffman isn’t teaching, she tries to stay active doing numerous things.

“Teaching is so much of my life; what do I do when I’m not teaching,” Coffman says, laughing. “I’m a very spiritual person, and I just renewed my business license. I’m excited to start my business back up.”

Coffman’s family is in Virginia, so she spends the time she used to spend traveling the world visiting family back home, like her daughter, Scarlett, and granddaughter, Ella.

She also enjoys working in her garden, biking and exploring Dauphin Island.

“I love God’s nature,” Coffman says. “I’m always looking for little things on the beach and trails for art. I’m always doing something for someone.”

With numerous Teacher of the Year Awards here in Baldwin County and in Virginia, it’s no doubt Pam Coffman is living her dream serving the students of Baldwin County with visual art.