Teacher Bios

Meet Ms. Pam Koller

Edgemont has been my home since birth.  I grew up on a ranch outside of town where my family still lives today.  I attended Black Hills State University graduating in 2004 with an Elementary Education degree and a minor in Early Childhood.  I have been teaching in Edgemont ever since.

I taught 4th grade for one year, before moving to 1st grade and teaching for eleven years.  In 2016, the customized learning vision was started with at combination K-2nd classroom with co-teachers.  I was happy to join Terri Brown as one of those teachers.  We are continuing to grow our customized learning vision and providing learning opportunities for our students.

I love to teach reading and phonics.  I enjoy sharing my favorite books and reading new books.  I have even been known to take "squeeze" breaks so I can get some hugs in during the day.  I am excited to get to know the new learners and reconnect with familiar learners.

I received a Masters in Technology and Customized Learning from the University of Sioux Falls in May of 2021.  I love incorporating my new learning into the classroom.

When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and snuggling up with a new book.

Meet Mrs. Brown

I was born and raised in Lead, SD, where I  graduated from Lead High School.  I attended University of South Dakota and graduated with a Criminal Justice and Psychology degree in 1999.  After several years working as a counselor for children,  I went back to school and obtained by Elementary Education degree from Black Hills State University and e graduated with a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Design, K-6 Mathematics from American College of Education, Illinois.  

I was able to begin my teaching career in the 2005-2006 school year at Hot Springs Elementary.  I taught 2nd grade there for three years before coming to Edgemont.  I started Edgemont Elementary in January 2009 and co-taught Kindergarten with Mrs. O and then taught 2nd grade.  My first few years in Edgemont were exciting as I was married to Joshua Brown and had my first daughter Mya!  Our second daughter, Alexis, was born in 2013.  

In 2016, we began customized learning and I joined Ms. Koller to facilitate multi-age students in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade.  Part of this transition has allowed me to focus my instruction time on mathematic and problem solving which I truly love!  It is exciting for me  to be a part of  an amazing team that works hard every moment to meet my daughters' and all learners' needs based on their readiness and not just because they are a particular age or grade level!  

When I'm not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family, camping, jeeping and gardening.   I love to be outside, but equally love to settle in with a blanket, a great book and  snuggles from my girls.