Pamela Leibbert Honored at Kauffman Stadium
Posted on 09/04/2021
Cristo Rey Kansas City's Pamela Leibbert got called out - in a good way - for Teacher Appreciation Week at Kauffman Stadium. On September 3, Leibbert was recognized and sat in the Buck O ’Neil Legacy Seat as the Kansas City Royals played the Chicago White Sox.
While O’Neil enjoyed a distinguished career as a Negro Leagues batting champion and player-manager, he also blazed trails as a major league coach and scout. After Ken Burns’ documentary debuted, his name became a household word.
Leibbert, on the other hand, may not be world renowned but is something of a legend in urban education. Much like those unsung heroes in Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, she’s one of those everyday people, who by their ideals, work ethic and commitment to forming the next generation makes communities click.
After spending 17 years as a producer in film and video production, Leibbert was ready to help young people write the next chapter of their own stories. She earned a Masters of Education from Rockhurst University and came to Cristo Rey Kansas City in the 2017-18 school year as a history and government teacher. In the classroom, Leibbert sets high expectations and motivates students to work hard.
Today, Leibbert chairs the social studies department and is a lead in Cristo Rey’s Professional Learning Communities. As time marched on, she volunteered to become certified to teach Advanced Placement courses and was instrumental in bringing Pre-AP courses into the curriculum. She moderates the Student Council, was a member of the Covid-19 Task Force, and is a Level 2 Certified Educator in Google Classroom.
If asked what she did over her summer vacation, Leibbert likely would respond, “I took more classes.” This year, she went above and beyond to help Cristo Rey’s new principal assimilate into his role by orchestrating the academic schedule and placing students in classes, planning professional development for peers and being the guide at the side of Cristo Rey’s four new teachers.
Most importantly, the very people that Leibbert came to Cristo Rey to serve sing her praises. Students are challenged, affirmed and coached to be the best versions of themselves.