Welcome to the Global Learning Department!

My name is Pam Colbert.  I am excited to continue this new and exciting role as the Director of Global Studies and Virtual Learning.  I have served in Elkin as a teacher, assistant principal, middle school principal, elementary principal and now as a director.  Each role has provided me an opportunity to work with the talented staff members, students and parents in the district.  Over the years, I have also built relationships with community partners in the Elkin area, who are a very important part of our success. 

My role for the district is to provide support for teachers who are looking for ways to expand student learning into the global community. Elkin has always sought ways to enhance learning and provide an edge for our students as they enter higher education or the workforce. My goal is to  bring guest speakers, experiences and resources to our students that help them prepare to be global citizens in the future.  The pandemic has strengthened the use of virtual tools that enable our students to actively participate in learning all around the world, without physically leaving Elkin. Through partnerships with UNC CH and ASU we have made connections with teachers from countries all over the world.  We have hosted guest speakers and teaching fellows both virtually and in person in the last two years.  Our students are able to use these experiences to enhance the learning that takes place in the classroom and make connections to the real world. 

Before becoming a teacher I attended UNC Chapel Hill for my undergraduate degree, a BS in Elementary Education. I was the first teacher at Elkin Elementary to earn my National Boards as an Early Childhood Generalist in 2003.  In 2006 I received my Master’s in Administration from Gardner Webb University and my Doctorate in 2021. I am an advocate for learning and believe we must continue developing our skills throughout life.

In addition to formal education, I have traveled outside of the US to many countries including England, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.  My most recent trip was to study the educational system in Finland where I spent two weeks learning inside their schools and visiting the breathtaking sites.  While traveling I make every effort to experience the culture of the country I am visiting.  My next trip will be to Spain in the Spring of 2023.  I will be leading a group of students and parents as we learn and travel to Spain, Italy and France.  

I am married to my high school sweetheart, Mark Colbert and together we have two beautiful daughters.  Kaitlyne, our oldest, is a voice major who graduated from the NC School of the Arts and enjoys performing locally and internationally.  Sarah, our youngest, is a doctoral student at Wake Forest, studying neurology.  She loves researching all aspects of neurology. Our family loves volunteering to serve others and being active in our church.

I am proud to serve in Elkin and look forward to inspiring our teachers and students to step outside of their classroom environment and see the world, experience cultures around the globe and develop as global citizens.

Dr. Pam Colbert

Email: [email protected]

Director of Global Studies and Virtual Learning

Central Office  |  Global E-Learning Academy

202 West Spring Street * Elkin, North Carolina 28621