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As new Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools superintendent Dr. Pam Baldwin told me, “Sometimes students say, ‘I don’t like science.’ And you go, ‘Really? Let me show you what science is really about.’ [That’s] the reason we’re in this profession, the reason we chose to teach. I taught biology and chemistry because I really do love it. [I’m wondering] how can I make [science] really cool to a student who may or may not love science – I can help them make a connection to why it’s really fun to learn about it.” Though Pam doesn’t have a classroom of her own these days, she visits one every chance she gets and inspires administrators and teachers across the district. “I’ve asked our community, our teachers, to rally around this concept that ... taking risks and doing all those really fun, innovative things for students is totally worth it,” Pam says. “And that the learning and the goals and the standardized tests will come, but if students aren’t engaged in the work, then we’re really not doing what’s right for them anyway.” I’ve interviewed a handful of local educators over the years for Chapel Hill Magazine and I’ve been struck by their passion every time. For their kids. For the subject matter. For making those connections in the classroom and watching for that “click,” the moment when a student grasps a concept or finds a topic they love. For this issue, we’ve profiled just five of the well-deserving educators in our area, including Dr. Baldwin, on pg. 48. They come in early, stay late to tutor or coach and put their all into the job of teaching our students. And they aren’t alone in their dedication. I’d love to hear which other teachers’ unbridled enthusiasm have your kids racing to the school bus in the morning. Drop me a line at the email address below. CHM
JESSICA STRINGER @jessstringer
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chapelhillmagazine.com January/February 2018
jessica@chapelhillmagazine.com