Sparkles of Hope from a Dual Immersion First Grade Teacher: Pam Quevedo
Elementary school teachers shape the future for children and generations to come. Dual Immersion First grade teacher, Pam Quevedo, is on a mission to make an impact in the lives of students and parents.
Sparkles of Hope from a Dual Immersion First Grade Teacher: Pam Quevedo
“What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you FLY!”
These two sentences have been a big part of her life’s journey. “I love this quote because it is about risks and being vulnerable!” She adds, “Taking a leap of faith will take you to new heights.”
Quotes can have a way of motivating and being life-changing on one’s journey.
A SPANISH SOAP OPERA THAT IMPACTED HER AT 5 YEARS OLD
Growing up bilingual with a zest for teaching was evident, when she was a tender five years old. “It was because of a Spanish soap opera about a teacher called “Carrusel” that I watched that I knew I wanted to become a teacher.”
Carrusel was about a school teacher and the adventures she went on with her 2nd graders throughout the school year. It evoked many emotions for Pam and from that moment, she knew she wanted to be like that character, that teacher!
MISTAKES WELCOME
Pam gets to watch her students enjoy the fun in learning. Even when they are making mistakes, they are enjoying the learning process.
In my class we have a motto, “Mistakes are welcome here!” So many students believe they need to be perfect at everything and give up at the first sign of failure. Therefore, in my class, I celebrate the mistakes and applaud that they are smarter and brighter because of it now!
I have definitely blossomed as a teacher since I started! I believe in taking risks and to never stop learning. I like to put myself in roles that will stretch me as an educator. I have been in leadership roles and I continue to push myself to further my education whether it be going back to school or attending professional developments and seminars.
HAPPINESS IS BRINGING HAPPINESS TO OTHERS
Naturally a happy person at heart, Pam embodies a great deal of happiness. It’s easy to bring happiness to others.
“I get my happiness from meditating, yoga, singing and doing random acts of kindness.”
HOW SOCIAL DISTANCING CHANGED TEACHING MOMENTS
With social distancing, Pam had to become creative using technology to effectively reach students. Although most of the magic in teaching happens face to face, she’s made the best use of this time.
She continues to bring her joy of teaching through videos and assignments that she feels help her students shine to be creative.
“Magic happens when we feed off of each other’s energy and with a screen in between, it’s just not the same.”
MORE FUN FACTS ABOUT PAM
- She was born in San Jose, Costa Rica and came to live in Southern California when she was just one.
- Graduated from UCI with a degree in Psychology and Social Behavior
- For the past two years, she has been working as a 1st Grade Dual Immersion teacher in Tustin Unified School District.
- She has been teaching for over six years.
- Pam worked four years as a Middle School Spanish teacher (6th and 7th grade).
- After graduating from UCI, Pam obtained her Masters and Teaching Credentials from Pepperdine University.
- She is in the process of obtaining her administrative credential.
A TEACHER WHO ENJOYS ASKING QUESTIONS
When getting to know someone, Pam tends to ask a lot of questions. It is because she genuinely does care about the interesting things people do. She wants to know everything about them!
Pam loves to watch and study infomercials which have in turn helped her to become a better public speaker.
“The way people can talk about a product for hours without sounding boring amazes me. If I wasn’t a teacher, I would love to be a talk show host!”
THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING AND STAYING CREATIVE
From reading blogs — to listening to podcasts by educators trying out new strategies — in their classroom, she enjoys the personal development that comes from such learning. It is not any wonder that she loves the opportunities in social networking.
In fact, this is how Pam Quevedo and Unicorn Jazz author, Lisa Caprelli, met:
“We met on a Facebook Learning Group. I posted for bilingual teachers to utilize the free Spanish/English resources we have. Pam was one of the first to interact and share in the learning journey. We instantly connected and have developed a friendship — based on the common interest of teaching and books..” -Lisa Caprelli
A phenomenal Facebook group she belongs to is called Mindfulness Educators. It’s about bringing moments of peace and tranquility into the classroom.
FAVORITE BOOKS FOR KIDS AND PARENTS
Her school is participating in an all school read-aloud. She recommends the book, “The One and Only Ivan” by K.A. Applegate!
This book is about a gorilla that lives in a mall and the story is told from his point of view. The personification given to the animals in the story are so human-like, you begin connection with a lot of their emotions.
“The To-Be List” by Latesha Randall
- Our lives are filled with “To-Do” lists when they should be filled with “To Be” lists.
- This book is filled with 70 pages of ways “To Be” a better wholesome person.
- It’s not to be read in one sitting but with one passage a day.
WHAT MAKES A MEMORABLE BOOK
When you can connect personally with a CHARACTER – that’s what makes for a memorable book! Getting the feeling of “OMG, that’s me – I can relate” moment, you know you have struck gold with a story.
With “Unicorn Jazz” Pam feels the character is so relatable, because many of us have — at one time or another been self-conscious of what others are going to think of us.
Unicorn Jazz messages are “to shine your light,” and “those who need your light, are the ones you want to keep in your life!”
ACCOMPLISHING THE SPECTACULAR
Pam wants to be known for being the person who “believes in you, when no one else did.” She also wants to be the person to give you the boost of confidence you didn’t know you needed, so that you can accomplish something spectacular.
WHAT SHE WOULD TELL HER 9 YEAR OLD SELF
- You will not be shy forever.
- Your voice will be heard and you will make a difference.
- Take it all in while being a silent observer.
- Your time to shine is coming!
PAM FEATURED AT MINUTE 15:00 WITH HER SHORT AND FUN SOCK PUPPET DEBUT:
To interact and learn more from Pam, join our next talk show chat at “Sparkles of Hope,” a private Facebook Group for parents.
She also is featured in the form of a puppet with positive messages in English and Spanish, performing as “Nina Sparkles” for kids on the show “The THING I Do.”