Published: May 12, 2008 12:17 pm         

Retiring educator chose teaching over vet school

By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



After 32 years working in the field of education, Pam Horton is retiring.

The principal of North Jefferson Middle School, Horton has impacted the lives of thousands of children.

She has worked in northern Jefferson County the entire span of her career.

Originally thinking she wanted to be a veterinarian, Horton attended Auburn University for a year to pursue that goal.

She soon changed her mind and followed in her parents’ footsteps to start a career in education.

“I loved animals, and I still do, but I thought people were more important,” said Horton. She figured she could make a bigger impact in the lives of children than in the lives of animals.

One thing she has learned is that working in schools is more than just a job.

“A school is your second home. It’s a lifestyle and a career,” she said. “You spend a lot of time here, so you need to love it. If you never want to work a day in your life, love what you do.”

Horton is always straightforward with her students. She shows them that she truly cares.

“They know a fake when they see it,” she said. “You’ve got to get to know your kids. You’ve got to let them know you’re there for them. You respect them and they’ll respect you.”

Horton said she knows her students so well, she can tell by looking at them whether they are having problems.

“You’ve got to remember you’re here for one reason only - the kids. We’re all they have during this time,” she said.

Horton has been the principal at North Jefferson Middle School since the school opened four years ago.

Horton was the principal at Warrior High School while the middle school in Kimberly was being built.

“I was back and forth during the building process,” said Horton. “I worked through the transition.”

She said it was exciting to see three communities come together through North Jefferson Middle School. The school serves students from Warrior, Kimberly and Morris.

Before serving two years as principal at the now-defunct Warrior High School, Horton was principal for four years each at Rudd Middle School and Kermit Johnson Elementary, both in Pinson.

She served a total of 17 years as an administrator, after being a teacher for 15 years.

As a teacher, Horton worked for a year at Warrior High School, 10 years at Bryan Elementary and four years at Rudd.

She taught health, physical education and for one year, history and world geography.

Horton even taught fourth grade during a year of proration, when the school board had to let teachers go due to a lack of funds.

She said that she’s proud to have served North Jefferson Middle School at the end of her career as a school administrator.

“I really enjoy working at North Jefferson Middle School,” Horton said. “We have a dedicated faculty and staff, and great parental support.”

Horton grew up in Morris and graduated from Mortimer Jordan High School in 1971. She was in the same graduating class as her colleague, Dr. Byron Campbell, who is now principal of Mortimer Jordan.

At 55 years old, Horton, plans to stay busy after her retirement.

“I decided to get out while things were going well,” said Horton. “I love the kids and I love my job. I wanted to retire while I was young enough and in good enough health to enjoy life.”

Horton will work part-time for the Alabama Department of Education as an education consultant.

She also wants to spend more time with her husband Joe, her daughters Leah Drain and Kelly Chesser, and her grandchildren Kaitlyn and Brenner Drain.

She also has it in her sights to travel out west and to do more camping trips with friends.

Horton and her husband live on a 40-acre farm in Blount County where they have horses and other animals.

On Thursday, the Jefferson County Board of Education named Mary Beth Blankenship, assistant principal at Gardendale High School, as the new principal at North Jefferson Middle School.