Peter Botsman Award 2001

Pam Gilbert

Pam began her career in education as a secondary school teacher in Townsville, where apart from a year in London she continued to teach English and was Head of English in two schools. In 1982 she became a lecturer in education at James Cook University, where in 1998 she was nominated for and awarded a Personal Chair by James Cook University Council. Professor Gilbert currently continues to teach and conduct research into education at James Cook.

Pam is the author/co-author of 18 books, numerous book chapters and has published extensively in national and international journals. Her recent research and articles focus on re-defining gender issues and literacy curricula in post-compulsory years. Pam’s research has been diverse with studies in investigating gender issues, disadvantage, critical literacy in the classroom and most prominently boys and literacy. Her work in the area of gender has had a tremendous impact on teaching practices, in Queensland, Australia and overseas.

In supporting Pam’s nomination for this award I would like to share with you some comments from a colleague who writes: Pam’s energy and drive are endless. In the North Queensland region – Pam has the capacity to say “I have an idea” and then move this into a groundswell of action so that next minute most schools in the region are involved.

Pam works for everyone’s kids and constantly wants the best for her students. She believes in a quality school life for all, especially in literacy classrooms. She made this happen at Heatley when she was HOD in the 1970s. Her PhD students know that she is at the cutting edge. In North Queensland, in Queensland, in Australia and overseas, Pam is renowned for being committed to the practice of teaching as well as academic endeavours. It is through this focus that she changes classroom practice. Her contributions to lecturing, workshops and research are outstanding. The volume of research is enormous.
Finally, Pam has had an enormous impact on English teaching in the state – she puts theory into practice.

She had made the difference.