Kimberly LittleJohn Hammaker is enlightening young minds in her middle school classroom using the same learning techniques that expanded her thinking while she was a student in the honors program at 海角在线.
For her work, the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce recognized Hammaker 鈥�15 as The Conservatory School鈥檚 teacher of the year during its annual education awards ceremony last month. Hammaker was one of eight middle school teachers in northern Palm Beach County to be honored. Elementary and high school teachers were also recognized.
This marks the end of Hammaker鈥檚 fourth year of teaching at The Conservatory School, where she began as a second-grade teacher. After Hammaker鈥檚 first year, her principal charged her with leading Socratic discussions 鈥� open-ended discussions that encourage listening and critical thinking 鈥� for middle school students.
鈥淚t鈥檚 part of our school culture now,鈥� Hammaker said. 鈥淭he kids really learn how to think critically and communicate with each other.鈥�
She credited professors Dr. Gary Poe and Dr. Tom St. Antoine with teaching her those same skills 鈥� critical thinking, close listening, understanding different viewpoints and respectfully disagreeing 鈥� through the Socratic discussions they led in the University鈥檚 Frederick M. Supper Honors Program.
St. Antoine said Hammaker brought a love for learning and commitment to education to 海角在线.
Poe remembered Hammaker as a hard worker who always came to class prepared. With a cheerful attitude, she was ready to tackle whatever the day brought and encourage her fellow students.
鈥淗er ability to empathize with and encourage students while here at 海角在线 was just who she was,鈥� Poe said. 鈥淭hese signature traits are the kinds of things that make her a great teacher.鈥�
A fourth-generation teacher, Hammaker said she owes a lot to her family鈥檚 support and the field experience she had through the School of Education and Behavioral Studies. The education department works hard to make sure future teachers are in the field every semester. By the time Hammaker graduated, she had worked in several Palm Beach County schools, public and private.
鈥満＝窃谙�, as far as I鈥檝e heard, is one of the only universities that puts its students in the field every semester.鈥�
Hammaker, who primarily teaches English and social studies, recognizes that coming to class with a love for her students is just as important as coming prepared.
鈥淢iddle school is a hard time for little humans that are marking that transition from being children to young adults,鈥� Hammaker said. 鈥淚 try to come with a calm heart. Sometimes they just need someone who鈥檚 an adult they can trust to talk to.鈥�
