Pamela Walls ’09, M.A. ’11

Pamela Walls ’09, M.A. ’11 attributes her passion for teaching to her very first classroom experience. “Without a question, my kindergarten teacher inspired me to teach. I wanted to be just like her.” Mrs. Bouer of Sixth Avenue Elementary School in Los Angeles, Calif. instilled a confidence and determination in Walls that would help her achieve an outstanding educational career.

Deterred from pursuing a teaching career by low salaries, Walls first worked in the entertainment and legal industries. After visiting an elementary school classroom during an undergraduate internship, she was startled by the lack of empathy teachers displayed toward their students. She also was shocked to witness racial and gender inequity in many classrooms. These disparities made her wonder why only boys were seated at the gifted table, and where the African American students were. At that moment, she realized that changes had to be made and that she had the ability to affect these changes. She then decided to redirect her career to teach and advocate for educational opportunity.

After graduating from UCLA cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in American literature, Walls went on to receive her master’s degree in education from the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, laying the groundwork for future projects and success in education research.

While in the graduate program, her passion and academic expertise prompted her to turn a research idea into 10 G.I.R.L.S., “Growing, In, Recognition, Living and Strong,” a program to help 28 African American middle school girls realize their academic potential and boost their self esteem. The group holds weekly meetings, each including a healthy meal, a quick exercise break and a discussion of prominent female figures in the black community. Walls hopes to reinforce to the members the idea that their dreams can be achieved and that a great education is well within their reach.

Walls’ academic goal doesn’t end with 10 G.I.R.L.S. Testing is another area, among many, she wants to address, saying “Testing has a place in education. Accountability is a must. However, the value given to standardized tests appears to undermine the value given to the individual student.”

With 10 G.I.R.L.S., Walls hopes to address the individuality of each student and inspire an eagerness to learn. She hopes to expand 10 G.I.R.L.S. into a national program and to pursue a doctorate in education. Walls encourages aspiring teachers to examine their motives for choosing this career and, if their goal is to serve students, to let nothing hinder their decision.