Teacher of the Week: Pam Cannon

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Science is a very broad topic with many different branches. It can prove a hypothesis, and because of it we were able to put a man on the moon. But, no matter which end of the spectrum you are looking at it from, science is important.

For Pam Cannon, a teacher at Myrtle Grove Middle School, the vast subject is a passion.

“I love science. I always have,” said Cannon.

Cannon started her career 17 years ago working at the elementary school level where she coordinated science fairs for her school. This school year though she wanted to do a little experimenting of her own and teach middle school students.

“I just wanted to focus on science,” she said.

Moving up the academic latter to teach the sixth grade has come with many variables.

“The biggest difference has been 125 kids in my class in a day instead of 20,” said Cannon. “I almost had to change everything I know about teaching. It’s been like my first year all over again in some ways.”

But no matter which grade she is teaching there is one constant in her classroom, the inspiration she gets from her students.

“My favorite thing about teaching is just seeing them every day and seeing what they’ve learned and how much they grow,” she said.

To help her students grow educationally and mentally, her mentoring does not end when the bell rings.

“I talk to them about their life. They see me at lunch a lot of times and just eat with me,” Cannon said. “There are many times when I feel like a second mom.”

Although compassion and dedication may not be a chemical compound, it is the formula that makes Ms. Cannon our Teacher of the Week.