Teacher’s career began at 40

Pam Molik is a big believer in the expression, ‘Life begins at 40.?
That’s when she went back to school and obtained her teaching degree.
Now after 11 years with Oxford Schools, the sixth-grade math and science teacher at Oxford Middle School was selected as one of three district nominees for the 2004-05 Oakland County Outstanding Teacher of the Year Awards.
‘It is really nice to be recognized by my peers,? Molik said. ‘It makes you feel appreciated.?
Each of the 28 school districts in the county selects three teachers at the high school, middle school and elementary levels to be nominees for the county Teacher of the Year at their respective level.
Oxford High School math/science teacher Paul McDevitt and Daniel Axford Elementary health/physical education teacher Shanie Williams are the district’s other two nominees.
Molik, a Lake Orion resident for 20 years, began her Oxford career in fall 1994 teaching math, science and social studies to sixth-graders at the Oxford Intermediate School on Pontiac St., which is now Oxford Elementary School.
Approximately 3,000 people applied for teaching positions in Oxford that summer, so ‘I was very excited when they chose me.?
After four years at OIS, Molik moved to the middle school and has been happy there ever since.
‘I love the staff, the administration. I love how they’re always moving forward with new curriculum and new technology,? Molik said. ‘Everyone works together to make everything better for the students.?
Molik said she’s a perfect example of why students should stay in school and complete their education.
She originally dropped out of college, where she was working toward a teaching degree, to pursue what she thought would be a ‘lucrative job.?
‘It paid more than my sister, a college graduate, was making,? Molik said. ‘After five years, I realized it was a mistake. It turned out to be a dead-end job.?
Years later while working for a catering company at Meadowbrook Hall, Molik’s home and work circumstances afforded her the opportunity for a second chance at her first career choice. So at the age of 40, she went back to school and obtained her teaching degree.
Molik believes her late start in the teaching profession has offered her more exposure to younger teachers with more ‘up-to-date teaching styles.?
‘I’m always looking for new ideas and new ways to approach teaching.,? she said. ‘I’m very open to that.?
For Molik, the ‘most rewarding? part of her job is helping children who are having a difficult time understanding new concepts. ‘I love it when they say, ‘I get it now! I understand it!?? she said. ‘They get so excited about learning new things.?
Even after 11 years in the classroom, Molik said she’s constantly ‘amazed? by her students? ‘enthusiasm, motivation and creativity.?
Although she considers her Teacher of the Year nomination a great honor, it’s really nothing new for Molik. She’s been nominated for the award twice before. She’s also been nominated for National Science Teacher of the Year and Disney’s Science Teacher of the Year.
Despite these recognitions of her teaching abilities, Molik doesn’t let it go to her head.
‘Teaching is really a group effort,? she said. ‘It’s the whole school working together ? from the custodians to the paraprofessionals to the administration. It takes everyone to make a successful school.?
Despite her realtively late start in the teaching world, don’t look for Molik to retire anytime soon.
‘I think I have another good 10 years left in me. As long as my short-term memory holds out, I’ll be all right,? she said with a laugh.

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