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Donna Lam, Excellence in Teaching
Philosophy of Teaching
Felix was different from the other children. He was extremely shy. He didn’t want to talk to me nor his peers, and he never spoke in front of the entire class. When I brought the matter to his parents’ attention, they didn’t show much concern. I applied as many methods and techniques as I knew in hopes of gently coaxing him to speak. After an entire semester passed, I was quite worried about his development. He still had not spoken a single word. After several failed attempts, I started to doubt my abilities as an early childhood teacher. I felt, as though, I had failed at teaching this child, and worse, I had failed the child himself.
In all my years of teaching, I have made it my goal to create a warm and loving classroom environment. I believe that such an environment serves as the foundation of learning and teaching. To create this environment, I myself, must first be a loving person. I start by constantly asking God to grant me love and patience. Through prayer, I am able to see my students as blessings from God. When I view them in this light, serving them and meeting their needs becomes a joy.
With this mind set, I create a “loving environment” by seizing any teachable moment. I look for every possible opportunity to grow my students’ knowledge. This “carpe diem” teaching style enables my students to explore, discover, and become logical and creative thinkers. In these spontaneous moments, they have gained self-confidence and have developed a love for lifelong learning. In addition to academics, I look for opportunities to emphasize “character.” I try my best to model positive attitudes, kindness, and responsibility. My most important character lessons have shown them how to love themselves, respect others, make good decisions, and work hard to reach their dreams.
To reinforce teaching, I include parents as partners in the learning process. I strongly believe learning starts in the home. Since parents often ask me for insight, I offer parenting classes and welcome them to visit my classroom. A mother once volunteered in my classroom for an entire semester. At the end of the semester, she told me, “I’ve seen how the students listen to you, and I know why you’re so successful. You make each one of them feel that they are special and important to you. Thank you for teaching me.” Upon hearing such a heartfelt compliment, my dedication to the parent-teacher partnership was re-affirmed.
Finally, I believe a child’s success does not end with me. Just last week, I learned that a former student had won a National Science Award. When I called to congratulate him, he told me he still remembered the songs we sang, and how much he enjoyed learning in my class. As a sign of thanks, he organized an appreciation luncheon. While I was honored by this gesture, I was even more privileged to have played a small part in his success. I helped lay a foundation for his learning, and it did not end with me. I could not have asked for a better reward.
Despite my doubts in my own abilities, I never gave up hope on Felix. I believe that love “hopes all things and endures all things.” To truly love Felix, I had to hope the best for him. So, I kept on hoping. Even when my efforts seemed ineffective, I kept on hoping.
When I least expected it, something amazing happened. On Valentine’s Day, my daughter sent me roses from New York. As I showed them to my class, I let them know that my daughter sent the roses because she wanted to tell me she loved me. I also told them I would keep the roses at school because I wanted to share this “gift of love” with all of them.
Later that morning, I gathered the class together to have “Circle Time.” Realizing it was Felix’s turn to create a sentence, I wondered if he would speak today. As I was about to help him out, Felix suddenly took a deep breath and yelled, “When I grow up, I want to buy my mother some flowers!” I cannot tell you how much joy I felt at that moment. Such deep joy is why I love to teach. It is my true reward, and as the years pass by, I have cherished each precious child and become wealthy with the joy each one has placed in my life.
Donna Lam is pictured (right) with fellow Chinese Bilingual PreK Program teachers.
Educational / Professional Background
University Degrees
- The University of Texas at Dallas, Fall 1990 to May 1991
English as a Second Language Certification
- Northeastern Illinois University, Fall 1974 to May 1978
Bachelor of Arts in Kindergarten, Elementary Education,
and Special Education in Learning Disabilities
Professional Work Experience
Early Childhood Pre-Kindergarten Teacher - Aug 2004 to Present
Harrington Elementary School, Plano ISD
- Taught Chinese Bilingual Pre-K students.
- Team Leader of the Chinese Bilingual Program.
- Mentored two new teachers at Harrington.
- Taught a variety of parenting classes to the Pre-K parents.
- Member of the LPAC Committee at Harrington.
- Member of the Language Arts Vertical Team.
- Continued to advocate the Chinese Bilingual Program in the Dallas Chinese community.
Early Childhood Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Aug 2002 to May 2004
Beaty Early Childhood School, Plano ISD
- Worked with Chinese Bilingual/PPCD Special Education Pre-K students.
- Served as Team Leader for a group of Special Education and Bilingual teachers.
- Mentored two new teachers at Barron Early Childhood School.
Early Childhood Pre-Kindergarten Teacher - Aug 1997 to May 2002
Jupiter Center, Plano ISD
- Taught under-privileged, ESL and Chinese Bilingual Pre-K students.
- Served as Team Leader for a group of ESL and Bilingual teachers.
- Mentored and developed two new teachers at Jupiter Center.
Early Childhood Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Aug 1991 to May 1997
Aldridge Elementary School, Plano ISD
- Founded and spearheaded the Chinese Bilingual Program for PISD in the fall of 1991.
- Taught Chinese Bilingual and ESL Pre-K students.
- Developed the Chinese Bilingual Program by advocating the benefits of a bilingual education to bilingual parents.
Special Education Teacher, Kindergarten to Third Grade, Aug 1989 to May 1990
Jacinto Elementary School, Dallas ISD
- Taught learning disabled students in a self-contained classroom.
- Worked with students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
Special Education Teacher, Kindergarten to Fourth Grade, Sept 1978 to June 1979
Onahan Elementary School, Chicago
- Taught learning disabled students in a self-contained classroom.
- Worked as a resource teacher in a new program.
Additional Experience
- Volunteer Sunday School Teacher for kindergarten to 3rd grade students - 1975 to Present
both in Chicago and Dallas.
- Taught Parenting Seminars at various Chinese churches in the DFW area - 2000 to Present
- Chairperson of the Christian Education Committee at First Chinese - 1996 to 1997
Baptist Church of Dallas
- Children’s Choir Conductor at First Chinese Baptist Church of Dallas - 1986 to 1992
- Mother of three happy, healthy, and successful grown children - 1980 to Present
Honors & Recognitions
- Teacher of the Year at Harrington Elementary School - 2008
- Teacher of the Year at Aldridge Elementary School - 1994
- NBC Television Interview about “The Chinese New Year Celebration” - Feb 2005
- "The Dallas Morning News" Interview about “Chinese Families in PIano” - Oct 2005
- NBC Television Interview about “Chinese Children and Their Education in Texas” - Nov 2006
- The Dallas Chinese Times and World Journal Newspaper Interview about “The Chinese Bilingual Program” - Feb 2007
Languages
English, Chinese-Mandarin, Chinese-Cantonese, Chinese-Toishan
School
Principal Recommendation
Donna Lam is one of those rare teachers who changed the course of PISD instructional opportunities. She is an integral change agent within the Chinese pre kindergarten district focus and the original pioneer who piloted the first Chinese pre K program. Her integrity as a team leader and program developer are beyond reproach. Parents rely on her advice and suggestions as to how to best integrate the Chinese cultural background within the context of a Texas public school. Mrs. Lam succeeds annually in calming concerns and increasing program attendance in the Chinese pre K and K program in PISD.
Mrs. Lam has the exceptional ability to successfully work with all types of teachers and parents. She is a catalyst for student success every day.
Her modeling of curriculum delivery, behavior management, and parental communication guides her pre kindergarten team to success each year. One of the greatest compliments a teacher ever receives is continued contact with former students. Several successful PISD graduates cite Mrs. Lam as their first and most important inspiration.
One of the brightest spots of my day is to visit the pre K program at Harrington. The eagerness of the students is energizing to the entire school. These youngest of PISD learners leave pre K with life long love of learning.
Sincerely,
Ann Irvine, Principal
Harrington Elementary School
E-mail congrats to
Donna Lam
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