Pam Van Winkle
A 1974 graduate of Southern Connecticut State University with a major in education and a minor in Spanish, Pamela Van Winkle did her student teaching at Branford Intermediate School, where she met her husband Timothy. She retired from classroom teaching with the birth of their first son, but her absence from the educational scene was to be short lived. When Ryan entered kindergarten at Brushy Plain School (now Mary T. Murphy School), the PTA president was leaving the following June. Pam and Tim offered to become co presidents, and Pam's involvement has never diminished. She has served continuously on a Branford PTA executive board for twenty years, following her children from elementary school through intermediate school to high school. Although she and Tim initiated many innovative programs at the elementary level, including a Family Bingo Night that was the social highlight of the year for teachers, administrators, senior citizens, parents, and students, it is undoubtedly at the high-school level that Pam has made the greatest impact.
In 1992-93 she and Education Hall of Fame 2000 inductee Barbara Colley introduced the concept of the Honors Incentive Program. Students were recognized each marking period for achieving honors or high honors by receiving a red or white card redeemable for special items, discounts, or services from local businesses. After two years of planning and organization, the program was finally implemented in 1994 and continues to the present. In 1993, again working with Barbara Colley, Pam helped initiate the SAT Prep Class. They recruited the necessary teachers and in March of 1994 were able to offer outstanding, affordable, and conveniently located preparation. Any proceeds from the fees (after paying the teachers) are applied to scholarships for graduating seniors. Undoubtedly the most highly visible of Pam's undertakings (again with Barbara Colley) was "Project Graduation-Red & White Up All Night," a safe, alcohol and substance-free all-night celebration for graduating seniors. Although work on the project began in 1995, the amount of initial work was enormous and the number of volunteers was limited. In the winter of 1995-96 at an introductory meeting, Randy McNamara stepped forward to be executive chairman; and the rest, as they say, is history. The committee is currently in its seventh year, and Pam plans to remain involved for as long as the program continues-even after youngest son Eric graduates in 2003. (Yes, folks, you read it here first!) Never one to be content with what she has already accomplished, this year she founded the Cross Country Booster Club at BHS, of which, naturally, she is president.
For twenty-five years, Pam and Tim have taught ballroom dancing for the Branford Recreation Department (They also taught for the North Haven Recreation Department from 1978 to 1995), and they treasure the many wonderful people they have met through this experience. For the last six years, Pam has taken her dancing skills to the high school during Cultural Awareness Week, introducing Latin dance styles to the students. For three years, she also provided free group dance lessons for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp "COPE" during mini-escape weekends for parents of children with cancer.
Pam is currently employed as Assistant Director of Development and Community Relations for Family Counseling of Greater New Haven and received their Arlene T. Murphy Extraordinary Service Award in December 1999. She was also the recipient of the Connecticut PTA Centennial Award in May 2000.
As if she weren't committed enough, Pam has also been working with the Community Dining Room, helping to coordinate food donations since 1995 and doing publicity since 2000. She is a member of St. Therese Ladies Guild and as a volunteer has organized several spring dances and helped with Easter egg hunts and picnics for the parish.
Ryan is a 1999 graduate of Syracuse University and is living in Scotland assisting in research for a book on Lockerbie; Craig is a junior at the University of Connecticut, and Eric, a junior at BHS.
In 1992-93 she and Education Hall of Fame 2000 inductee Barbara Colley introduced the concept of the Honors Incentive Program. Students were recognized each marking period for achieving honors or high honors by receiving a red or white card redeemable for special items, discounts, or services from local businesses. After two years of planning and organization, the program was finally implemented in 1994 and continues to the present. In 1993, again working with Barbara Colley, Pam helped initiate the SAT Prep Class. They recruited the necessary teachers and in March of 1994 were able to offer outstanding, affordable, and conveniently located preparation. Any proceeds from the fees (after paying the teachers) are applied to scholarships for graduating seniors. Undoubtedly the most highly visible of Pam's undertakings (again with Barbara Colley) was "Project Graduation-Red & White Up All Night," a safe, alcohol and substance-free all-night celebration for graduating seniors. Although work on the project began in 1995, the amount of initial work was enormous and the number of volunteers was limited. In the winter of 1995-96 at an introductory meeting, Randy McNamara stepped forward to be executive chairman; and the rest, as they say, is history. The committee is currently in its seventh year, and Pam plans to remain involved for as long as the program continues-even after youngest son Eric graduates in 2003. (Yes, folks, you read it here first!) Never one to be content with what she has already accomplished, this year she founded the Cross Country Booster Club at BHS, of which, naturally, she is president.
For twenty-five years, Pam and Tim have taught ballroom dancing for the Branford Recreation Department (They also taught for the North Haven Recreation Department from 1978 to 1995), and they treasure the many wonderful people they have met through this experience. For the last six years, Pam has taken her dancing skills to the high school during Cultural Awareness Week, introducing Latin dance styles to the students. For three years, she also provided free group dance lessons for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp "COPE" during mini-escape weekends for parents of children with cancer.
Pam is currently employed as Assistant Director of Development and Community Relations for Family Counseling of Greater New Haven and received their Arlene T. Murphy Extraordinary Service Award in December 1999. She was also the recipient of the Connecticut PTA Centennial Award in May 2000.
As if she weren't committed enough, Pam has also been working with the Community Dining Room, helping to coordinate food donations since 1995 and doing publicity since 2000. She is a member of St. Therese Ladies Guild and as a volunteer has organized several spring dances and helped with Easter egg hunts and picnics for the parish.
Ryan is a 1999 graduate of Syracuse University and is living in Scotland assisting in research for a book on Lockerbie; Craig is a junior at the University of Connecticut, and Eric, a junior at BHS.