Her picture still hangs from the ceiling in the media center smiling, in fact, I think I’ve even heard that infamous scoff-chuckle during a staff meeting or two; a garden in her name hosts tables of children scrolling endlessly on their phones before the morning’s first bell; a personalized book in my daughter’s bookcase with a heart-felt dedication and well wishes is still read at bedtime. The memory of Kim Hamilton lingers on not only in the memories of the thousands of students taught, the decades worth of yearbooks, and lesson plans still used by her team but in Indian Trails Middle School itself.
I have never seen someone so dedicated to every aspect of education. I remember her talking about field day plans and all the while she would be getting her materials together for the next day’s lesson on her way out the door to her daughter’s band event. I used to wonder, does this woman ever sleep?
But all of that hard work didn’t harden her. Oh no, she was funny. I could always count on Mrs. Hamilton for three things: Sage advice, updates on when chicken tender Pub Subs were on sale, and the latest goings-on. In the morning I knew if I walked into my room and it smelt like fresh coffee, she would be discussing something good with Coach. Those are the mornings I’d be sure to keep my door cracked open to make sure I was up-to-date on the stuff they don’t include on The Trail.
Mrs. Hamilton was basically an ITMS founding father. And while that isn’t a math pun, I’m sure she’d be able to make it into one. If you knew Mrs. Hamilton you’d know that she and Coach Riegelmayer were a team. Together they established field day, calling it “Our gift to the 8th graders.” Coach Riegelmayer went on to explain that there were field trips for 6th and 7th grade but nothing for the 8th graders, so in addition to field day, Epcot would host a gaggle of 8th graders enjoying their finals days together before leaving for high school. I wonder if our students ever realized how much more she was than just their teacher. She was so, so much more than that.
As we reminisced I could tell that even with his mask on Coach had a big smile. He said the garden was a perfect metaphor for her, “The garden represents [Mrs. Hamilton’s] nurturing of students and wanting all students to learn. Even the “weeds” she wanted to be successful. She was always there for everyone, no matter who they were: parents, students, teachers.” That was the thing about Mrs. Hamilton, she had your back, no matter what. She was my safe place at school and I am sure for many others.
In the whirlwind that was 2020 my neighboring teachers and I received an email from Mrs. Hamilton. Part of it read, “Hoping to be back on the 25th... Although I have to tell you it's easy to get used to being home. So I need to get back before I decide to retire early. I miss you all and hope everything is going well in these crazy times. Hope to see you soon.” Not included here were some of the jokes she still cracked until the end. A memory to be kept private, to be held onto tightly. Our emails back followed with we love you, we miss you, and it isn’t the same without you.
It isn’t the same without you, Kim. You left behind more than calculators and an old school grade book. I think of you every time my students sit in the garden under the blossoming trees or when I have a student that I struggle getting through to. I’ll continue to remember you and what you’ve helped build when our students enjoy their last days at ITMS on field day, or when I need to make eye contact with someone when the faculty meeting has gone on too long.
Thank you for everything you did and sacrificed, for every teacher you fought for in the union, every student event that you helped plan or attend whether it was for ITMS or WSHS, and for every student who you taught to finally use a graph correctly.
Thank you, Mrs. Hamilton, for it all.
X^2+2( 3/5x ^⅔ -y)^2-1=0
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