Many of us have probably walked into campus and been greeted by Mr. Hammond, who is doing what he does best—sharing his bright smile and motivational words. As my partner Leslie and I walked through his office doors, we knew his lighthearted attitude would make for a comfortable interview.
Mr. Hammond is the Assistant Principal who oversees athletic events and all activities at Patriot High School. He works alongside Patriot’s coaches, programs on our campus, the maintenance team, the custodial team, district maintenance operators, and all staff. When asked how he felt about this role he stated, “I get the best of both worlds, by still getting to be around sports, which I love.”
With over 20 years of experience under his belt, Mr. Hammond has taught Special Education, English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Physical Education. But most impressive of all is his 25 years of coaching experience in football. He proudly states that his favorite part of being a coach and in the field of education is being able to support the students and staff around him. His current role at Patriot allows him to interact with a much broader community and be a part of many aspects of student and staff life.
Mr. Hammond might make it look easy now, but don't let his confident demeanor fool you. He shared some of the challenges he faced as a young educator with us. He states, as a new teacher, trying to get a feel for what kind of educator you'd like to be perceived as was the trickiest part. Still, he looks at it positively, “That was the most fun part, being challenged and able to put your fingerprint on what type of classroom environment you wanted, and what type of connection you wanted to have with your students and athletes.”
It is safe to say that Mr. Hammond's bright personality, passion for education, and the way he celebrates all of us on campus are what make him such a wonderful and caring leader here at Patriot High School.
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