We remember...

her, Virginia's legacy to the teachers who follow in her footsteps is her ability to always find a way to reach her students. To those of us who were fortunate to have her as a teacher, she sent with us the excitement of learning, the gift of curiousity and the courage to never stop reaching for the stars. Virginia passed away in 2000 and will be deeply missed. Those who knew her are definitely better for it...


Remembering Va...



She was in good company...
Mrs. Patten always reminded me of my grandmother. They had similar stories to share, and seemed to be very strong-willed yet compassionate women.  It turns out they were both wonderful role models as I grew and became a parent, trying to instill values in my children.
Michelle LeVeria Flores - Class of 1978


The woman loved a challenge...
Mrs. Patten was my teacher twice at Amador. My freshman year she taught a wonderful speech class. She challenged us all to do well, of course, but somehow she taught us to critique each other in a way that was affirming. I am still not sure how she did that!  Carrying a college prep load of mostly "solid" classes, I had to be very careful about my electives....and her class was one of the best. My sophomore year she embarked on an adventure that showed her spirit. She was asked to advise the yearbook staff. She had never done anything like that, but it did not stop her. She jumped right in and asked several of us to join her in the excitement of learning something new. I have so many great memories of that year...and the yearbook turned out pretty well! My most vivid memory of Mrs. Patten has to do with her love of reading. She told us that it is never too early to start a child on the love of reading and that she had often given books as new born baby gifts. That must have impressed me because I have done the same thing for years now!
Patty Walker Cleveland Class of 1971


Encouraging us in everything we did... 
Mrs. Patten was my filmaking teacher, and also "Film as Art" (what the heck they were English credits). Myself, Rock Huddleston and Scott Martin were so influenced by her no nonsense style. Yet she encouraged me in every way. I made films, including our senior film, into my 20's. She was a great lady.
Jim Peck Class of 1974


Her lessons remain today... 
Mrs. Patten taught me this: If you know about it, you're responsible for it. I've tried to live my life this way and it seems especially to resonate right now during the crisis precipitated by the terrorist attack on the WTC. And in anticipating what's to come. Her words and example affected me profoundly.
Karen McKinnon Class of 1978


She was a "living" warm fuzzy...
Does anyone remember when Ms. Patten gave folks a warm fuzzy? Some of you may remember that Mrs. Patten survived a pretty bad car crash while we were at Amador. I am saddened to hear about one of the best teachers at Amador.
Rich Calton Class of 1978


She taught us the important things...
I had Va. for American Lit. but what I took from her had bupkis to do with reading (as my grade surely demonstrated). There were so many things she taught me, but one day in particular remains a part of the person I am today.

We were talking after class and she could tell something was bothering me. At the time my grandfather was ill and he meant a great deal to me. Out of no where she asked me if I'd ever told him that I loved him. Our family was never the "touchy-feely" type and I told her no, but that I was sure he knew.

Lord how she came at me, as those of you who knew her will recall she would do when she was passionate about something. I got a scolding the likes of which I had never known, but it was done with love, and she made me realize that was not something you put off. I went home that day and told my granddad just how I felt about him and how much he did mean to me; how much I appreciated all he had done for me. I carried that to all the other members of my family and to this day, be they family or friends, I always let people know what they mean to me. Without question, one of the greatest lessons I've ever learned, and one for which I will be eternally gratefull.

I kept in touch with Va. until the year after she married and moved to the Lake Tahoe area and even now, few days pass in succession when I don't think of her and of how lucky I was to have known her.  Fare thee well my dear, dear friend. You were the best!
Dennis Jones Class of 1978


She taught students and teachers alike...
Virginia Patten, an English teacher at Amador for oh, so many years (and the only one on campus who had the ability to get some of you to class), died in the year 2000. She had moved to Oklahoma to be with her Mother who was caring for her when she died.

Virginia Patten had a unique ability to hold students accountable for their behavior. I recall several times working with students who had some attendance problems. When the bell rang, those very students were often heard saying, "Oh my God, it's 3rd period. I can't miss Mrs. Patten's class or she'll kill me!"

She influenced me too, as a then-young staff member, she demonstrated what it is to love kids but have boundaries, limits and expectations. And she helped me to understand that one does not preclude the other.

And of course there was the poem that she read for years at Baccalaureate...the poem about Mr. Mattingsley which rarely left a dry eye among parents.

Virginia Patten is a women who, through her dedication to learning English and learning about life, truly left her mark on Amador Valley High School as well as on the lives of countless numbers of students.
Linda Alexander (Ellis)
Amador High School Counselor

Close this window to return to the Class website