Pamela Lamb - 2019 Celebration of Learning Award (Facilitator/Trainer)

Pam initially started out as a facilitator in our Calgary programs ten years ago. Since then, her involvement with FESA has expanded and she has been a valuable contributor to our Indigenous-related projects and programs. Pam’s contributions include writing curriculum, training and mentoring new facilitators, and designing and delivering training workshops.

With this award, we recognize and celebrate Pam’s significant contributions to FESA and her commitment to lifelong learning. Karri-Lynn, Pam’s co-trainer and friend, shares with us that Pam is a “kind, intelligent, thoughtful and patient mentor and co-trainer” who is “diligent in improving and learning from every delivery of content.”

We reached out to Pam to ask her a few questions about her time with FESA.

1. What keeps you facilitating for FESA after all these years?

Elaine has given me a lot of rope, and most of the time it is fun and challenging! Also, it’s the people I get to meet along the way.

2. Why do you think it is important to teach literacy and essential skills?

To me, literacy and essential skills are really just skills that help people have a bigger, better life. I think that is something we all want and everyone has a right to have.

3. What’s one of your favourite moments from the past year of facilitating?

One of my most memorable moments was at a workshop we were delivering where there was a lot of suspicion about what we were doing. The group wasn’t gelling as well as I was hoping. Then during a hands-on activity, a participant made a beautiful doll. She presented it to another group that works with women who have experienced domestic violence. She wanted the women to take the doll back and use it with their groups at their centre. It was a profoundly touching moment.

4. What’s one thing you’re excited about that’s coming up in 2019/2020?

FESA is in a time of tremendous growth and there are so many moving parts. It’s great to be part of the process and I’m excited to see where it leads when many of the pieces fall into place.

5. Who, or what, was your biggest teacher?

The people along the way – the participants that show up to sessions who have the courage and will to make a difference in their families’ lives, the front-line workers that share their expertise and wisdom in workshops, my many mentors, especially cultural mentors who help us build better bridges.

6. What’s one thing you’re learning now, and why is it important?

I’m becoming more and more aware of the importance of the question, “from who’s perspective are we looking?” What lens am I using? It helps me better shape the work I do.