Outstanding Rural Building Administration
Pam Little, Calhoun R-VIII
Launch the media gallery 1 playerOutstanding Rural Building Administrator
Mrs. Pam Little
Calhoun R-VIII School District
Pam Little has dedicated the last twenty-eight years to the education of America’s youth now as the Director of the Early Childhood Center for the Calhoun R-VIII School District.Simply put, Pam leads one the highest quality early childhood programs in Missouri.She is a visionary in doing what is best for the children that attend the early childhood program, 6 weeks through 4 years of age.
Mrs. Little is described by one as dedicated, driven, compassionate, open to new ideas, and visionary.She has successfully collaborated with Head Start to have the largest rural preschool program in Missouri and as stated by one, the best too.The Calhoun School early childhood program currently serves (62) children.In addition to the Calhoun students, nine other area school districts have children attending this program.Parents sometimes are willing to drive fifty miles one way, just to have their child attend this award winning program.
Pam has the incredible talent of making those around her feel valued and vital to the mission of preparing the youngest learners for their K-12 experience ahead.Those who know Pam best, are amazed at her influence over two generations of children and parents.Each subsequent year, she enjoys watching her preschool classes graduate from high school.
Mrs. Little’s knowledge of preschool programming and grant writing is second to none.Pam’s amazing knowledge of grant writing has resulted in the Calhoun School District receiving over 8 million dollars of grant money across a twenty period, 1994-2014. Her grant writing approval percentage is a staggering 78% approved/submitted. When Pam writes her grants, she makes sure to include a component that will ensure local community members can take an active role in programs such as Readers Roundtable, Garden Club, Annual Cemetery Walk, Exercise Group, and Crafting Clubs.
Recently, Governor Jay Nixon came to the Calhoun R-VIII Schools to present an $852,000 Community Development Block Grant through the Department of Economic Development to build a new early childhood center.Serving on several state/national committees and work groups, Pam was recently named to the U.S. Department of Education’s “Early Childhood Policy Work Group.”
The primary goal of bringing her passion for early childhood programming into a cohesive vision of excellence is perhaps her most impressive attribute, therefore making Pam Little deserving as Missouri’s Outstanding Rural Building Administrator for 2014.