Pam Tomlinson is starting her 30th year of teaching, 28 which have been at Garland High School. She is the varsity drill team director and dance teacher. She is a product of GISD. She attended Heather Glen, O'Banion and Lakeview Centennial High School where she was an officer of the Sweethearts. She attended Auburn University where she was a member of the Tiger Paws dance team. She received her BA in Language Arts from Auburn. Her first year at GHS, she taught Gold Jackets junior varsity drill team and English and was named New Teacher of the Year. She was twice named Top 10 Teacher of the Year through her national dance organization.   When they began offering dance in GISD, she developed and wrote the Dance 1 - 4 curriculum. She has served as a drill team adjudicator, mentor for GISD new teachers and department head. She was a member of DTDA, a drill team organization where she served as President and has worked for HTE Dance as a camp manager. She has led her team to receive several contest titles such as Best of the Best, Grand Champions, Circle of Gold and Best in Class. She has two dogs Harley and Zoey and she would love to show you pictures!

This course will focus on dance within a variety of genres at the introductory level. Students will acquire vocabulary and skills in ballet, jazz, modern, tap, hip hop, cultural and other genres. Dance history, choreography and performance skills will be introduced. The class is participatory in nature, utilizing movement as a form of creative expression. Students will gain fundamental knowledge of dance steps and terminology, music and choreography as they create and participate in dance combinations and performances.

These courses build on the technical facility and skills attained in Dance I using more advanced skills and concepts through continued study of various dance genres. In addition, course objectives will emphasize creative expression through movement, appreciation of dance as an art form, awareness of space, time and energy in dance technique and development of self-confidence through the use of the body as an expressive instrument. The advanced courses allow students to choreograph dance movements and explore dance history as it relates to other art forms.

The purpose of the junior varsity drill team is to promote spirit and sportsmanship at school functions and to serve as a performing group representing the high school. Instructional and performance activities are affirmatively directed toward development of individual member improvement, resulting in a skilled performance group. Each student must be cognizant of the time commitment and individual dedication demanded in striving for personal improvement and teamwork through responsibility and discipline. Students are exposed to teaching, practice, and performance opportunities that result in the development of responsibility, self-respect, and that encourage honest effort in striving for excellence. These opportunities also develop character, teamwork, and pride in quality performance and physical fitness by emphasizing the maintenance of high standards. Students will gain fundamental knowledge of dance steps and terminology as well as exposure to different genres and music and choreography.

The purpose of the varsity drill team is to promote spirit and sportsmanship at school functions and to serve as a performing group representing the high school throughout the community, state, and nation. Instructional and performance activities are affirmatively directed toward development of individual member improvement, resulting in a highly skilled performance group. Each student selected must be cognizant of the time commitment and individual dedication demanded in striving for personal improvement and teamwork through responsibility and discipline. Students are exposed to teaching, practice, and performance opportunities that result in the development of responsibility, self-respect, and that encourage honest effort in striving for excellence. These opportunities also develop character, teamwork, and pride in quality performance and physical fitness by emphasizing the maintenance of high standards.