This week we asked Pam Matthews, our Science teacher and Outdoor Expeditions Coordinator, about life at IPS.

Pam moved to Bowen Island to teach at Island Pacific School in 1999 (legend has it that she slept in her camper van in the school parking lot!) and over the past 22 years has taught Math, Science, PE, created the Odyssey Program as well as serves as our Safety and Expedition Coordinator.

She has a love of nature and the outdoors and inspires students to develop a lifelong love of science through her teaching.

Tell us about something you’re passionate about right now.
Starting a sustainability task force for IPS and hoping to get alumni, parents, students and staff to help put together and take part in an action plan to decrease our ecological footprint!

What’s the most enjoyable part of your work?
Connecting with the students when we are on excursions, expeditions and outdoor activities – hearing about their lives and sharing stories.

What is one good thing that has come out of COVID for you?
Spending more time with my family and growing much closer to them – I feel so lucky to have them in my life!

Do you have a favourite pet story?
It happens every day when Luna comes to school with me. The kids adore her and she has become a part of the fabric of the school – did you know our sports team is actually the IPS huskies?

What’s your teaching philosophy?
Figure out how to get kids engaged and excited about learning. Show them how magical and fascinating the world is.

Things teachers say
“you can’t do that – get down from there” (pretty much every day)

How do you feel about Mondays at Island Pacific School?
Love Mondays 🙂

What’s your experience at report card time?
They are hard!! But they give us a chance to share how much we really know about each student to the parents.

Tell us about the value of school excursions
It’s an opportunity for deep learning about their community, environment, themselves and each other. Good things happen when kids have new experiences!