Educator Of The Month: Pam Karr-Dawson

Pam Karr-Dawson not only grew up in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) system, but she returned to build a career as a teacher. After attending kindergarten through grade 12 in the South River cluster, Karr-Dawson began her AACPS career at Tracey’s Elementary in Lothian, where she spent the first 10 years of her career teaching kindergarten. For the last 22 years, she has taught first grade at Shipley’s Choice Elementary in Millersville.

“First grade is truly my favorite grade to teach!” Karr-Dawson said. “At the beginning of the year, they come in as little ones who are just starting to understand what words, sentences and stories really mean. They often need help with the smallest daily tasks and a lot of encouragement to build their confidence. But by the end of the year, they’ve blossomed into independent and confident learners. Watching that transformation is honestly the most rewarding part of my job.”

This year, Karr-Dawson was the Shipley’s nominee for Anne Arundel County Teacher of the Year (TOY), an honor she said brought her to tears.

“After 32 years of teaching, it was overwhelming to hear the kind things people said about me in the nomination,” Karr-Dawson said. “At that moment, I felt like maybe I really did make a difference. It is one of the most meaningful honors of my career.”

Karr-Dawson teaches under her mantra “cultivating compassion, achieving excellence.” She said the phrase captures what teaching is all about: building positive relationships with students is at the heart of education.

“When the children feel safe and connected, they begin to show compassion for themselves and for each other,” she added. “It is from that foundation of trust and kindness that learning and excellence can flourish.”

She feels her teaching style is rooted in building positive relationships from day one. She shares a lot about herself with students, and in turn, they open up and do the same, and her class becomes a family.

“I always tell my class we are a family. I want each one of my students to feel confident, proud and supported because that is when they grow into their best selves,” Karr-Dawson said. “We keep the mood light in my classroom, and we laugh a lot. Learning should be joyful!”

Though the TOY nomination is individual recognition, Karr-Dawson is quick to point out that she’s one member of an entire team of exceptional professionals at Shipley’s Choice, where everyone feels supported through challenges and celebrations. She counts her colleagues among her closest friends and feels fortunate to be part of the community for 22 years.

As for former students, she would love to hear from them. “I absolutely love when I see my students from the past,” Karr-Dawson added. “It’s so fun to hear what they are doing since elementary school and even as adults.”