"We prepare students to engage in the world that is and to help bring about a world that ought to be."
Pamela Wood
Minute of Appreciation
Pamela Wood (el - Okdah)
Head of Middle School. Teacher of History. Chair of History Department
Faculty-Administrator Emerita
As proclaimed in the December 14, 1989 issue of Friends Seminary's student newspaper, The Friends Free Press: Pam Wood, New Middle Head. Student journalist Zach Reiter '91 went on to provide readers with a preview of the future landscape of the Middle School: "…When asked about the goals set for the Middle School, Pam thought it was better to 'raise questions' before taking action. If anything is going to be changed in the Middle School, a group effort will be needed. Although the goals aren't certain, Pam has specific values that should be understood. She wants the students to 'feel supported in their learning' and be able to face difficult situations, both inside and outside of school. Once this is accomplished the students can do anything. Along with all of Pam's duties as Head of the Middle School, she is also happily teaching regular classes throughout the day. She admits that her position involves many things at once, including 'being a traffic policeman' in the halls. Hopefully Pam will achieve what she feels is necessary for the Middle School, and enjoy her new position for years to come." Surely the students, faculty, staff and parents who have since been part of the School can attest to the accuracy and prescience of Zach's reporting which framed the thoughtfulness, practicality and vision which have come to characterize Pam's years as Head of Middle School. Pam has worked to increase student and faculty diversity; helped to establish a stable team in the 5th and 6th Grades; worked to create a good "esprit du corps" amongst Middle School advisors and homeroom teachers. She is admired by her faculty and staff for rendering herself fully there for anyone who comes to speak with her; for respecting the quirks and treasures of adolescence, for advocating for students, for clarity of purpose, for fair-mindedness. Throughout her 30 years at Friends Seminary Pam served as a member of the School Committee (1977- 1979), as a History Teacher and Chair of the Department (1979 - 1988), and as Head of Middle School (1989-2007). Guiding her teaching, her listening, her decision-making, her interactions with students and families, faculty and staff was a humble, yet steadfast, desire to try to communicate and live her understanding of Quaker values. To that end, Pam fulfilled Zach Reiter's hope that she "achieve what she feels is necessary for the Middle School." We express heartfelt gratitude for the breadth and depth of service Pam gave to Friends Seminary and are proud to honor her as Faculty - Administrator Emerita.
Pamela Wood (el - Okdah)
Head of Middle School. Teacher of History. Chair of History Department
Faculty-Administrator Emerita
As proclaimed in the December 14, 1989 issue of Friends Seminary's student newspaper, The Friends Free Press: Pam Wood, New Middle Head. Student journalist Zach Reiter '91 went on to provide readers with a preview of the future landscape of the Middle School: "…When asked about the goals set for the Middle School, Pam thought it was better to 'raise questions' before taking action. If anything is going to be changed in the Middle School, a group effort will be needed. Although the goals aren't certain, Pam has specific values that should be understood. She wants the students to 'feel supported in their learning' and be able to face difficult situations, both inside and outside of school. Once this is accomplished the students can do anything. Along with all of Pam's duties as Head of the Middle School, she is also happily teaching regular classes throughout the day. She admits that her position involves many things at once, including 'being a traffic policeman' in the halls. Hopefully Pam will achieve what she feels is necessary for the Middle School, and enjoy her new position for years to come." Surely the students, faculty, staff and parents who have since been part of the School can attest to the accuracy and prescience of Zach's reporting which framed the thoughtfulness, practicality and vision which have come to characterize Pam's years as Head of Middle School. Pam has worked to increase student and faculty diversity; helped to establish a stable team in the 5th and 6th Grades; worked to create a good "esprit du corps" amongst Middle School advisors and homeroom teachers. She is admired by her faculty and staff for rendering herself fully there for anyone who comes to speak with her; for respecting the quirks and treasures of adolescence, for advocating for students, for clarity of purpose, for fair-mindedness. Throughout her 30 years at Friends Seminary Pam served as a member of the School Committee (1977- 1979), as a History Teacher and Chair of the Department (1979 - 1988), and as Head of Middle School (1989-2007). Guiding her teaching, her listening, her decision-making, her interactions with students and families, faculty and staff was a humble, yet steadfast, desire to try to communicate and live her understanding of Quaker values. To that end, Pam fulfilled Zach Reiter's hope that she "achieve what she feels is necessary for the Middle School." We express heartfelt gratitude for the breadth and depth of service Pam gave to Friends Seminary and are proud to honor her as Faculty - Administrator Emerita.
Friends Seminary actively promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in all its programs and operations, including admissions, financial aid, hiring, and all facets of the educational experience. To form a community which strives to reflect the world’s diversity, we do not discriminate on the basis of race or color, religion, nationality, ethnicity, economic background, physical ability, sex, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation. Friends Seminary is an equal opportunity employer.
Friends Seminary — the oldest continuously operated, coeducational school in NYC — serves college-bound day students in Kindergarten-Grade 12.
