Staff Lead Highlight: Pam Lyons Gromen, Education Coordinator & Staff Lead

Staff Lead Highlight: Pam Lyons Gromen, Education Coordinator & Staff Lead

Pam attributes the start of her passion for nature to "an extraordinary 5th-grade teacher who organized and led family field trips to the Delaware Bay, scheduling adventures during low tides where a whole new world was revealed beneath the water.  These experiences sparked my interest in ocean life and led to a degree in marine science and a fruitful career in public aquariums and environmental advocacy."  She discovered Richard Louv's book Last Child in the Woods when her son was born and was struck by what he described as "nature deficit disorder", a psychological, physical, and cognitive costs of human alienation from nature, particularly for children in their vulnerable developing years.   Pam returned to college to earn a degree in education to be a part of the nature-based learning movement and create environmental education opportunities for our school communities.  She shares, "As an Outdoor Education Coordinator, my position is dedicated to school engagement, and I serve as the point person for resources, training, and programs for students and teachers."   She says, "Field trip day is my favorite day at work. Our guided field trips would not be possible without our school program volunteers. They lead field trip activities with such joy and creativity that it is contagious to teachers and their students. When students leave us with big smiles on their faces, saying things like "That was the best day! I want to come back!" I know we are making a difference. That's a good day."

As a staff lead, Pam works to create meaningful and enjoyable opportunities for volunteers, so the volunteers will want to come back again and again. Pam credits the current team of school program volunteers with tremendous experience, knowledge, and skill. She says she sees her role as "setting the stage for their talents to shine through organization, clear communication, and regular opportunities to share feedback and learn new strategies for working with children of all abilities and ages".

When Pam joined the MetroParks team in the fall of last year, she was grateful to these volunteers who warmly welcomed her and offered help as she stepped into her new position.  She shared, "Their ideas, experience, and enthusiasm made for a truly outstanding spring field trip season.  We hosted hundreds of schoolchildren from preschool through high school. " School program opportunities go well beyond field trips, and she is thankful for the volunteers who support her and assist with Teachers' Night Out programs, OUTstanding Teacher Awards, and the development of educational materials. As a staff lead, she strives to support her volunteers through well-planned programs that result in a wonderful experience for our guests.  Pam said she "genuinely loves and believes in what we do as a team, and I am so grateful for their service. "

Pam feels at Five Rivers MetroParks, we have undertaken a big and important mission, to provide outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature.  She shared that "With over 100,000 children in Montgomery County alone, we need our schools and teachers to join us in our mission to connect children to nature in a way that is personal and authentic."

Thank you, Pam, for being a true supporter of volunteers and volunteerism at MetroParks!

Join Pam at the opportunities with our astronomy kit, teacher's night out support or by joining this Fall's school program volunteer training! View School Program Volunteer Training here.

Volunteer Services is available if you have questions or need assistance with Get Connected.

Contact us at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or call #937-275-7275 and ask to speak with a Volunteer Coordinator.

Return to the Volunteer Blog here.