When Pamela Ries reflects on her career at the University of Iowa, one phrase comes to mind: “constant evolution.” 

What began with a desire to teach second-grade students has grown into a distinguished career shaping special education, mentoring future teachers, and championing access to learning for everyone. Now, as she transitions into retirement after 25 years at the College of Education as a professor in elementary and special education, her impact resonates across campus and beyond.

Ries’ professional path didn’t follow the traditional script. After several years teaching in public schools – first grade, middle school language arts, and special education – she transitioned to consulting with Iowa’s Area Education Agencies. That broader exposure led her to the university setting, where she answered an ad in the Des Moines Register and took the leap to academia.

“I never dreamt I would end up in higher education at a major university,” she says about her arrival at the University of Iowa.

Once at the College of Education, Ries embraced new challenges. She served in a variety of roles, including as a clinical professor of special education and Elementary Education Program chair, coordinating the elementary practicum experiences.in the Department of Teaching and Learning. She also served as the director of UI REACH, a comprehensive transition program for college-age students with intellectual, cognitive, and learning disabilities.

Ries says the UI REACH role exemplified one of the most defining milestones of her career.

Throughout every role she held, Ries remained dedicated to inspiring joy in learning for students and future educators 

“I hope my students are doing good things for kids – that they’re good advocates, doing their best to provide the services kids need to be the best they can be.”

During her university tenure, she taught and mentored thousands of students. She highlights how the ripple effect works: "When you’re in a school classroom, you may have 18 or 30 students… now I’m teaching 200 students a semester, and each of them may go on to teach 30 students a year. That impact becomes exponentially larger."

Ries thrived in a field that is always changing, especially in special education, where research, technology and policy evolve rapidly. Whether it was the introduction of text-to-read or speech-to-text tools, she embraced each innovation as a way to increase access and support for learners.

“You’re constantly reading, going to conferences, finding out what’s new… My mind always goes to, ‘Okay, this is interesting research — how do we apply it in the classroom?’”

Her approach wasn’t just about staying current – it was about translating knowledge into practice. By bringing the latest tools and theories into the classroom and the field, she helped both her students and their future pupils stay ahead of the curve.

For Ries, relationships create the foundation for meaningful educational impact. She credits the staff and colleagues she worked alongside, from tech and support staff to fellow faculty members, as integral to any success she’s experienced.

Ries models the kind of collegiality she hopes her students will practice—collaboration anchored in respect, kindness, and shared purpose.

“I tell my students, ‘Don’t forget about support staff — secretaries, custodians, tech support.’ They’re valuable to you and to students. Relationships with them matter.”

Her collaborative spirit doesn’t go unnoticed by her colleagues and peers. Department Executive Officer of Teaching and Learning, Lia Plakans, says, “Pam is someone I met in my first year at Iowa. She reached out and included me in her work with a nearby school district’s migrant education program, especially with the multilingual learners and how they were being assessed. I was grateful for that, and in working with Pam over the past 16 years, I know this was not a rare occurrence. Pam welcomes new faculty into her classes to share their expertise and is a great collaborator across disciplines and across the university. We will miss her but are happy for her to have ample time for traveling the world, and spending time with family.”

Through her leadership of UI REACH and her frequent collaborations across departments, Ries exemplified a spirit of inclusive, cross-discipline teamwork.

Of all the teaching moments she will cherish, one stands out above the rest. During the pandemic, Ries taught her granddaughter to read in first grade, one-on-one. After working patiently through the fall, her granddaughter told her, “I love reading.” For Ries, that was the kind of success she’s always worked toward and proof of her constant goal to continue teaching and learning, even outside the classroom.

She says she’s also proud when former students return to say thank you. “That makes my heart sing,” she says.

Now that Ries is stepping away from her full-time role, she looks forward to reading “for fun,” spending time with her nine grandchildren (seven of whom are five and under) and volunteering, but in a way her daily schedule hasn’t allowed.

“People tell me not to do anything differently for a year,” she half-jokes, “but it’s hard to imagine not filling all those work hours with something.”

Though her title of clinical professor will no longer apply in retirement, her impact and influence will endure for years to come. 

“I have a lot of faith in my colleagues. They’ll continue to do good things for kids… I’m confident my colleagues will incorporate new learning and continue preparing teachers to be their best and to help kids be their best.”

And even though she’ll be retired, Ries plans to never stop learning

“We’re all lifelong learners,” she reminds us. “And that includes me.”