PAMELA LEIS HIGDON

Teacher, writer, editor: for more than 40 years, Pamela Higdon has embodied the spirit of her titles. She loves sharing knowledge, whether it’s in print or in a classroom, and is dedicated to making a positive impact on her fields. For Ms. Higdon, life is about helping others in whatever way she can.
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One of the earliest experiences in Ms. Higdon’s career saw her in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, where she spent eight years working with students as an elementary school teacher, district language arts committee member, after-school computer instructor, and science coordinator for the elementary school. Upon returning to the United States in 1987, she transitioned from academia to pursue her other passion, writing. She spent three years, as a writer and editor for Bird Talk Magazine and Birds USA, part of Fancy Publications in California, and four years as the writer and editor, product developer, project manager, and acquisitions editor of Educational Insights, which combined her two fields. Then, in 1994, Ms. Higdon decided to move to Texas, where she became a freelance writer and editor for PLH Writing/Editing and the founding member and first recording secretary of the Alsatian Pioneers Chapter of Daughters of the Republic of Texas. She continues to serve in these roles to this day.

With such an extensive background and a strong desire to share what she’s learned, Ms. Higdon felt it was only natural for her to find new mediums of expression. She authored educational children’s books such as “Science Notes: How Things Move,” and “Pattern Blocks,” and contributed columns to newspapers and articles to professional journals. She also wrote books on animal care, like “The Essential Cockatiel,” “The Essential African Grey,” “Bird Care and Training,” and “Happy Healthy Pets: The Quaker Parrot.” Further, Ms. Higdon was the author and project manager of the computerized educational games Geosafari and Geosafari Junior, and the copy editor of “The Hospitalist,” the 1995 pre-hospital medical booklet “The Life You Save: Community Defibrillation Programs & the Emergency Care Responder,” and the Journal of Emergency Medical Services. She co-authored “Holistic Care for Birds: A Manual of Wellness and Healing,” and “Watching Backyard Birds.”

When Ms. Higdon wasn’t working or writing, she was engaged in civic work. Over the years, she has lent her services to the Planning and Zoning Commission of Castroville, Texas, the Landmark Historical Preservation Commission, the Medina Valley Methodist Church, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Ms. Higdon spent two years as a volunteer writer and designer of the public town newsletter in Castroville, and four as a volunteer writer of the community newsletter for the Mills Branch Village Board of Directors in Kingwood, Texas. Additionally, she was a volunteer copy editor for the National Wildlife Fund and a volunteer writing teacher at the Castroville Library.

Ms. Higdon prepared for her journey by earning a Bachelor of Science in education from Texas Technological University in 1966 and by becoming a certified teacher in the state of Texas that same year. She also joined prominent professional organizations to help her stay on top of developments in the community, such as the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, for which she has been a freelance writer since 2011. As a testament to her hard work and dedication, she was honored with the Community Service Award from the Mills Branch Board of Directors in 1997, as well as with inclusion in numerous editions of Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World, and Who’s Who of American Women.