A Mentor To Me

I received a phone call last week that gave me the sad news of a death of a person of influence in my life.

As we all look back on our lives or career, many of us have people that played integral roles to us. Luckily, I do have a few people that had a large impression on my life. As I began my career in education, a teacher named Pam Webb was an awesome mentor to me. At the beginning of my career, no teacher played a bigger impact. Pam was a wealth of knowledge. She taught me how to difficult with children in difficult situations. She was a great example of consistency. She taught and counseled her students. She was a blessing to observe. She was instrumental in utilizing dogs in the education setting. Asia, the dog I had for years, was first utilized by Pam in KISD and then Asia was given to me. The following was Pam's obituary that was in the Austin paper last week:


Pamela Paul Webb, 56, a resident of Austin, passed away suddenly on February 6, 2006 after complications from extended illness and organ transplant surgery. Pamela began her career as a speech and hearing therapist as well as an elementary school teacher. She later returned to the University of North Texas where she received a Master's degree in Counseling. Along with her husband, Jerry, she became a licensed professional marriage and family therapist and a highly-respected member of the Austin Independent School District's School to Community Liaison and Special Education Behavioral Support groups. Pamela brought her wonderful talents and joy for life to every situation she encountered. She shared her sweet nature with the world and touched the lives of thousands. In her early years she was an accomplished pianist. She was also an award-winning singer, actor, and debater. She was one of the first elementary school teachers in the Fort Worth area to use trained dogs and student gardening in the classroom for emotionally disturbed children. At other points in her life, she was a model, a private detective, an author, a scuba diver, envied gardener, and a world traveler. She was a champion and defender of children and a nurturer of all things green, growing, and fresh. Pamela is survived by her husband of 35 years, Jerry Webb; children, Tyler Webb and wife; Robin Gilbreath and husband; Aaron Webb and wife; brothers, Mark Paul and Matthew Paul; sisters, Lauren Groves, Amy Garrett and Holly Standly; mother, Dorothy Paul; two grandchildren and many nephews, nieces, and friends. A come-and-go, casual, memorial service and celebration of Pamela's life will be held from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m., Friday, February 10, 2006 at the Unity Church of the Hills at 9905 Anderson Mill Rd. Guest and family remarks will begin at 3:00 p.m. A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider officially becoming an organ donor.

Thank you Pam for enriching my life and being a great influence on my career.