About Miss Pam

About Miss Pam

Pamela S. Courtney

September 7, 1959 - August 25, 2023

Pam Courtney, lovingly known as Miss Pam to her students and Aunt Pam to her family, was a teacher, a leader, a torchbearer (literally!), and a beacon of light for generations of children and families in Sacramento’s College Glen community.

As a physical education teacher at Hubert H. Bancroft Elementary School, Pam made her classroom a welcoming space where everyone felt at home. She taught kids how to move their bodies, care for their health, and believe in themselves. She taught anatomy, dance, nutrition, and teamwork, not just from books, but from the heart. Whether students were in first grade or part of the Special Education program, Miss Pam made sure they felt seen, valued, and capable.

She did all of this from her wheelchair.

Pam’s life changed forever in 1984, when a devastating car accident left her paralyzed. But instead of giving up, she made a decision: Her circumstances would not define her joy. She chose to keep moving forward, to live vibrantly, give freely, and love fiercely. That decision made her unstoppable.

Miss Pam led the student council, ran the Bancroft student store, organized the school’s legendary talent show, and cheered louder than anyone at student games and performances. She was twice chosen to carry the Olympic torch. She received numerous awards for her courage, creativity, and service, including the Freida J. Riley Teacher Award and CSU Sacramento’s Alumni Honors Award.

Her students adored her. Her colleagues leaned on her. Her family cherished her. And her legacy? It continues to shine.

Miss Pam believed the greatest purpose in life was to love others, and she did that with everything she had. She often said, “It’s not about how much you give, but how much love you put into giving.” That’s what made her special.

Now, through the "Miss Pam’s Here!" book series and the Pam Courtney Foundation, her stories, lessons, and laughter live on, so that every child can know what it feels like to be believed in, just like she believed in all of us.