Family is everything for Pam Aadnes. But we’re not just talking about her husband, two children, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and six grandchildren. Pam considers all her students her family as well.

Pam has been teaching since 1995, first in McClusky, North Dakota, and upon moving to Bismarck, Pam has been a special education teacher at Bismarck High School, Miller elementary, and currently teaches at Legacy High School. There, Pam is active in all aspects of her students’ educational journeys. She helps students prepare for prom and gives them hands-on learning and life skills at Saber Sips, the coffee shop she started at Legacy. Pam is also a mentor for inclusive sports.

“My favorite saying is ‘we are more alike than we are different,’” says Pam. “I try to incorporate that into everything I do for my students.”

In October, Pam was recognized for her work. The North Dakota Council for Exceptional Children honored Pam as the 2018 Humanitarian of The Year award recipient. The award is given to an outstanding person whose work is consistent with the council’s mission, “to improve the quality of life for individuals with exceptionalities and their families through professional excellence and advocacy.”