Pam Eighmie (2025)

2025 Robert Ludwig Teacher of the Year

“I’m good at helping people with their problems, I think I’ll be a psychologist.”

This is what Pam Eighmie thought as a freshman in high school. While her strengths weren’t in mathematics, she was able to break down and explain math concepts to her teammates. Her flair was approaching math problems in a way that was not ‘taught.’

This became Pam’s passion. Her purpose became influencing children to become young adults inspired by math. What she didn’t anticipate was how much her urban students inspired her to become the teacher she is today.

To further her passion, she went to Lynchburg College in Virginia and received her Bachelor's degree of Mathematics, later receiving her Master’s in Education from The College of Saint Rose. Pam’s first five years teaching were spent at Central Park Middle school in Schenectady, NY.

While at Central Park, Pam realized that her love of teaching went hand in hand with her love of her students. It became apparent that her students needed to feel like they were cared for and trusted before they could trust her.

Pam’s time at Central Park ended when she moved to Schenectady High School where she has been for 21 years. Pam Eighmie is the teacher she is because she absorbs the people she encounters everyday, learning from schenectady students, colleagues, and parents. She is grateful that relationships, knowledge, and kindness are present throughout this community. She thanks those who have influenced and helped her become the teacher she is today.