Melissa Rizzo, Centerfold Editor
@mrizzo_courant
To follow a passion, students often strive to challenge themselves, whether it’s taking the extra AP class or showing up early to practice, students push limits to achieve their goals. This constant grind, however, can be exhausting leaving some to question whether following a challenging passion is really worth it.
From a young age, English teacher Maggie Hamill has stretched herself to follow her passion for English and teaching. The fulfillment she experiences, as a result, is a testament to the power that lies within each challenge an individual may face.
In school, Ms. Hamill always performed best in Math in Science, yet she loved to read and write the most. This passion for English drove Ms. Hamill to select a humanities-based course list, despite this being the more challenging route. “I chose to take journalism; this was the discipline I needed to stretch myself most in, however, I made this choice based on interest and passion, so the skills developed as I stepped into the role,” said Ms. Hamill.
Similarly, her passion for child development was initially sparked as a result of growing up amid her mother’s in-house daycare center, which wasn’t always easy. “After school, I’d have to race off the bus stop to get a seat at my own snack table,” said Ms. Hamill.
It’s growing up in this environment, however, that made Ms. Hamill certain she wanted a career based on interacting and connecting with people. “Being around kids is particularly special because it’s such a great time in life where you can witness so much development,” Ms. Hamill said.
In keeping with her brave spirit, Ms. Hamill chose to challenge herself once again in teacher’s college, selecting to become certified as a sixth-grade through twelfth-grade educator, despite feeling more attuned to early childhood care. “I just really liked working with teenagers. And so I didn’t pick it because it was easy; I picked it because it was interesting,” Ms. Hamill said.
Throughout these challenges, however, Ms. Hamill was not alone, as she was able to source both guidance and inspiration from her role models. Barbara Williams, her high school English teacher, not only helped Ms. Hamill during her process of becoming an educator, but she also instilled in her the importance of having a creative curriculum. “Ms. Williams made up these creative writing assignments that I loved. Her class wasn’t just about writing an essay, and that’s one of the reasons why I loved English, even though it wasn’t my best subject,” said Ms. Hamill.
Now, as an English teacher herself, Ms. Hamill embraces creativity in her lessons. “At NCHS, I get to be creative every day, so I love coming up with unique ways to engage kids by designing different activities and writing assignments,” said Ms. Hamill.
It’s through this creativity that Ms. Hamill can watch her students truly engage in class and reciprocate the very enthusiasm about English that she developed in high school. “The most rewarding piece is seeing that engagement: when I see that light bulb go off it’s a full body experience filled with smiles, widened eyes, and raised cheekbones. I really like being a part of that.”
Witnessing her students, as a result, grow not only as writers and readers but as people also brings Ms. Hamill great fulfillment. “I notice it, especially in my freshman students; within that one year so much change happens in terms of developing confidence and identity. That’s the part I really love: helping people cultivate their best selves and grow into who they want to become,” Ms. Hamill said.
