Welch ready for 47th year in education

She was barely 18 when she landed her first job as a teacher’s assistant at West Elementary. Now, Pam Welch is preparing to start her 47th year in education and wondering how the time has flown by so quickly.

“I wish I could do this for 47 more years,” said Pam, a special education assistant at WCMS. “Being able to teach is truly a blessing. Sure, I leave tired at the end of the day, and I hope for snow days like everyone else, but I just love being able to teach and build relationships with the kids.”

Mrs. Pamma as she’s called by her students says the best part of her job is hearing them tell her “I love you” about 20 times a day. She embraces her role of being there for the kids, no matter their circumstances.

“Everybody is worthy, and everybody matters,” said Pam. “Some of these kids, it’s sad because they have horrible home lives. The day you can turn that off and stop caring for them is when it’s time for you to go.”

She was treated to a special surprise years ago when her family home was selling at auction. Pam was so upset, she couldn’t bring herself to attend.

What she didn’t know was her husband, Tony, did go to the auction that day and he purchased the house for Pam as a surprise gift.

“We’ve been there this second time for 25 years, and I couldn’t imagine calling anywhere else home,” she said. “My front license plate says ‘Blessed’ and that’s how I feel about my life. I’ve been blessed.”

She’s a member of Madison Street Baptist Church where she teaches Vacation Bible School and weekly Bible classes.

As a new school year is set to begin this Wednesday, Pam is on the verge of her 65th birthday. She realizes she won’t make it another 47 years in the classroom, but has no plans to leave anytime soon.

“This gives me fulfillment,” said Pam. “Cleaning out a closet and being a housewife does not give me fulfillment. This is what I want to do for as long as I can.”