Pamela Hernick
I am an Independent school: Social Studies Teacher, St. Mary’s High | 2023 Independent Teacher of the Year Finalist
We are excited to spotlight Pamela Hernick. Pamela Hernick is a 2023 Independent Teacher of the Year finalist.
Ms. Hernick was nominated by the school’s principal, Minidi Imes. The Saint Mary’s High School Social Studies teacher is a University of Delaware alum who brings enthusiasm and a warming pragmatism to her students and peers.
We had an opportunity to talk with Pamela about her year as a Independent Teacher of the Year finalist. The full video conversation will be posted in this space after the 2023 Excellence in Education awards dinner.
Here are a few highlights of the conversation:
Describe who you are in 5 words or less.
Energetic, curious, and always learning
Tell me one thing you remember about your first year teaching.
Started as a sub asked to teach Spanish class with no formal training, but went in with the attitude to learn everyday and be my best.
Looking back, what would you tell your former self about your potential as an educator?
Your ability to connect with others and connect subjects is your superpower.
What one thing do you love about working in your school? with the students? and with the community?
The ability to walk to work and being at the school long enough to now have seen students grow into productive adults.
What is your favorite memory of your family and friends supporting you on your journey as an educator?
My husband. He has been a super support system during my process of becoming a teacher. Also my 4 daughters and their willing to help me practice teaching with them.
COVID really challenged teachers, students, families, and schools on a level beyond imagination. How has the experience of working through COVID and then returning to “normal” instruction made you a better teacher and person?
I started COVID pregnant while working on my masters and teaching. I missed the energy and real time connections. I’m unsure I was aware of how much I enjoyed the connection until we came back to “normal” instruction.
Thinking about the future of education, what are you most excited about for educators? for students? and for schools?
Seeing the evolution of education after COVID helped shake up the structure that now has a focus on meeting the needs of both students and teachers.
What is one hidden talent you have that no one, or few people, knows about and would surprise them?
In the AP Psychology class I teach, in the unit on sensation and perception, I show the students my ESP party trick. I have them write something on paper and put it in an envelope. I then put the envelope over my head and I can tell them what they wrote on the paper. They have yet to figure out what I do.
If you had to make a time capsule about this year as a teacher of the year finalist and you had to include an item, an image, a quote and a song/melody, what would you include?
A poem by Mark Nepo named “Living in the Freshest Chamber in the Heart,” a pic of my family (all 6 of us), and the song is “One of These Days.”
For the last question, what is one reason why someone should choose to become a teacher?
If you’re interested in the future and the well being of others. You’ll learn so much about yourself as well as enjoy seeing the fruits of your labor.
Louis Nesbitt, PDM Department
The journey of an educator is a lifetime. We are thankful to those who have chosen to embark on this path. As a community, one of our greatest capacities is availability, so when the opportunities arise, find your own way to support education.
