Category Archives: Uncategorized

Meet Hamlin Associate Teacher Claudia Tropp ’09

What was your journey after you graduated from Hamlin?

Based on the connections I made with my elementary school teachers, I knew I wanted to be a teacher from an early age. Understanding what I wanted to work towards in terms of a career helped in finding schooling and employment that furthered my goal. While in high school, I worked at Hamlin’s HUB after school program. After classes, I would walk to work to oversee student play and help them with their homework. Every summer since high school I have worked at Hamlin’s incoming kindergarten Cubs Club camp.

After graduating from high school, I moved an hour south to attend Santa Clara University. I majored in Liberal Studies and spent time in school classrooms as an aide. One of my college highlights was a summer seminar I took called Children in a Multicultural Context, which was based in Copenhagen and included a study tour to Istanbul.

My “big move” finally happened when I decided to attend USC’s Rossier School of Education to earn a Master’s in Teaching. While I was in Los Angeles, multiple Hamlin friends came to visit so I was able to play tour guide and eat at restaurants all over the county. Upon completing the program, I returned to my foggy hometown and started work as an Associate Teacher at Hamlin.

What made you decide to come back and teach at Hamlin?

I always knew I wanted to return to Hamlin because I loved the school as a student and knew that the community was special. If you open the Hamlin yearbook from the year I graduated and look for my 8th grade photo, you will see that my answer to “Most likely to be…” is “either a fourth or second grade teacher at Hamlin.” The fantastic teachers I had in those two grades really inspired me to follow my dreams and pursue a career in teaching. As a result, I have had the privilege of teaching both Grades One and Two here.

What has changed the most at Hamlin since you were a student?

It feels as though the curriculum is more interesting and innovative. Now teachers focus on how to create cross curricular connections and integrate more meaningful projects into the school year. In terms of curriculum in general, students learn differently because we are teaching them how to think and the reasoning behind the concepts rather than requiring students to memorize information.

What has changed the least at Hamlin since you were a student?

The drive and work ethic of the students and faculty is one thing that has not changed. Students strive to do their best each day and use their voices to stand up for what they believe is right. At the same time, teachers put a large amount of time into creating and sharing rigorous material in ways students can more easily comprehend.

What are you most excited about being back at Hamlin?

I have loved being back at Hamlin and working with faculty that was here when I was a student. Last year I was able to see my kindergarten teacher, the fabulous Mrs. Ching, in the halls at work almost every day. How many people can say that? I was lucky enough to spend time in the McKinne building in the year before its demolition and was able to create new memories there with students and colleagues.

Meet Hamlin Science Teacher Theresa Evenson ’88

What was your journey after you graduated from Hamlin?
After Hamlin, I attended UHS, and then headed to the east coast for college. I have spent most of my adult life in the Greater Boston area teaching middle school science in both public and independent schools.

What made you decide to come back and teach at Hamlin?
Coming back and teaching at Hamlin was an opportunity to come home (home to Hamlin and home to family and San Francisco where I grew up). I taught at an all-girls school in Boston and have really enjoyed working in this type of school environment. By returning to Hamlin, I have an opportunity to give back, to pass on my love of science to the girls, and to foster a love of learning, which is what I received as a Hamlin student.

What has changed the most at Hamlin since you were a student?
Hamlin was a lot smaller when I was a student, as my 8th grade graduating class had 19 students, so that is one big difference. I would also say the integration of technology in every class is very different. I remember the first computer lab at Hamlin on the second floor, and now Hamlin has a 1-to-1 iPad program where the students are using technology to demonstrate their learning and teachers are learning new platforms to teach in innovative ways.

What has changed the least at Hamlin since you were a student?
The traditions, the mission and the creed of the school – they were and still are the guiding principles of Hamlin.

What are you most excited about being back at Hamlin?
Teaching the girls science, making it relevant to their lives, and when we are back on campus being able to teach in the (updated) science labs that I was taught in by Danny Meyer and Fran Dorais. Also, service learning opportunities and outdoor education adventures – I can’t wait until we can travel with students again – hiking, backpacking, and experiencing the outdoors together. Those were some of my best memories from Hamlin.

Meet Hamlin Teacher Katie Vestal ’11

What was your journey after you graduated from Hamlin?
In my 10 years since graduating from Hamlin I have held dearly the friendships and values I developed in McKinne and Stanwood. I graduated from Lick-Wilmerding High School in 2015, earning my Girl Scout Gold Award along the way, and moved across the country for four years of blizzards, laughter and learning at Syracuse University. I studied Communication and Rhetoric (wrote my Senior Capstone on Internet Memes!) and studied abroad in London for a term. I spent my college summers working at a summer camp near Tahoe, eating all of my favorite SF foods and hiking the John Muir Trail with my dad. Upon graduating college, I decided to move to Bangkok and teach Kindergarten English for a term. This ended up being a great decision with the timing of world events, as I moved back to San Francisco in March of 2020 and began teaching at Hamlin this past fall.

What made you decide to come back and teach at Hamlin?
While the world spun into chaos in 2020, I thought what better time to begin teaching than now? I love working with students and the Associate Teacher program at Hamlin has given me all the support I needed to take on this new role. Hamlin has always held a place in my heart and I feel the urgency of the Hamlin mission even more as I grow older. I hold immense gratitude for the opportunity to become a part of the Hamlin teaching community this past year.

What has changed the most at Hamlin since you were a student?
I was a student at Hamlin from 2002-2011 and, upon reflection, the biggest change at Hamlin is just how different it is to be a kid right now. I love getting a first hand look at how Hamlin is preparing these bright-eyed students to meet the challenges of their time. Not only are Hamlin girls preparing to take on the biggest issues of the world, but the school is also preparing Hamlin girls to be great contributors to their own friendships, communities, and passions. Teaching girls to be innovators, to be kind, to be courageous and compassionate is vital to take on the challenges of their time, and Hamlin has stepped up to ensure these girls become well-rounded individuals.

What has changed the least at Hamlin since you were a student?
The spirit of Hamlin has held strong over the last decade. I would even say it has grown stronger as it has been tested through the years – especially in this past year with campus changes and the pandemic forcing us physically further apart. The Hamlin Creed remains strong – Compassion, Courage, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility – in the hearts and minds of students and teachers alike.

What are you most excited about being back at Hamlin?
It is hard to choose something I am the most excited about – from working alongside my own teachers from years ago to getting to know today’s 1st graders, I have loved every second! What tops it all is being able to channel the Hamlin Creed in all parts of my life and give back to a community that gave me so much. I am grateful to be a part of this special year at Hamlin and grow as an educator.

Who was the subject of your Influential Women in History (f/k/a Famous American Women) project?
Mine was Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts!

Middle School Moves to Fort Mason

The Hamlin Middle School has temporarily moved its campus from Broadway to historic Fort Mason. Perched right above the Bay, the space is enormous, allowing our whole student body to be at school at the same time and still maintain social distancing protocols. The cavernous hall has primarily been used for art shows and artist studios and, with paintings from students in Ms. Feldman’s classes now adorning the walls, Hamlin Middle Schoolers are continuing that artistic legacy!

Although we miss our beloved Stanwood Hall, having all members of the Middle School together makes it more than worth the move. This transition, along with all the changes that have been required since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic have certainly illustrated how flexible and resilient Hamlin girls can be. We knew this year would be an adventure and we are excited to start the next chapter of this journey in such a beautiful new space. 

Mayor London Breed Gives Advice and Encouragement to Hamlin Girls

On Wednesday, December 16th, Hamlin welcomed San Francisco Mayor London Breed to our all-school assembly. Mayor Breed talked about being raised by her grandmother, who was a strong and fierce woman and taught her the value of taking care of your community. Mayor Breed also learned from her grandmother how important it is to be resilient, hopeful and to stand strong in your values. Talking about her experiences as a student and about the teachers that inspired her, Mayor Breed reminded all the Hamlin girls to listen to their parents and teachers and told us that it’s ok to make mistakes–it just matters how we learn and grow from those mistakes. Mayor Breed thoughtfully answered some questions from our community and told us about how she takes care of herself: long walks in the city, drinking plenty of water, getting exercise, and hanging out with her new plant friends. We are so honored to have been able to hear from such a strong, caring leader!

“I Am Changing” – A New Year Begins at Hamlin

Hamlin’s Opening Assembly looked a little different this year. Even though over 600 students, teachers, and parents logged in to a virtual version, you could still feel the excitement of the start of a new year and a deep love of Hamlin coming through the screen. Student body president, Audrey Spaly, introduced this year’s theme: “I Am Changing.” Ms. Holland-Greene beautifully sang the lines from a song in Broadway’s Dreamgirls that inspires our theme:

“Look at me, I am changing. I am trying every way I can. I am changing–I’ll be better than I am.”

At a moment in history that requires all of us to be willing to change, to adapt, and truly to meet the challenges of our timesthe girls of Hamlin are ready to begin.

Visiting Slide Ranch

Last week, Grade 4 students visited Slide Ranch as part of our Table to Farm Program.

Table-to-Farm field trips give Hamlin girls a chance to get their hands in the dirt and experience the process of growing food, tying in conversations about food justice, environmental sustainability, and the role of women, immigrants, and young farmers in the changing face of agriculture.

Highlights included:

-Milking a goat named Sweet Pea and tasting the milk

-Gathering leaves and plants, then feeding them to the goats

-Petting sheep

-Picking lettuce, chives, mint, and sorrel from the garden; then eating those plants in rice paper rolls

-Sifting compost to make potting soil

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Student-Driven Science: STEM Night 2018

During the month of January, Grade 8 students followed their scientific passions, created their own experiments, and learned a ton in the process. All of the hard work and investigation concluded Thursday with STEM Night.

The days leading up to STEM Night were an opportunity to go through the science exploration process, consider multiple proposals, then practice failing and trying again through many iterations (in some cases 20+).

All the projects involved energy/force in some way, working in the realms of physics, chemistry, engineering, and robotics.

Science teacher, Ms. Gillian Curran adds:

I provided guiding questions, but they figured everything out themselves. In the month leading up to STEM Night, every student had something they were super engaged with, and was self-driven. As part of the work, each girl was in a research group that figured out the science behind the various projects. During February they will create iBooks about the science topics in their experiments, they will then teach part of the upcoming units. 

Our students delved into the following topics (among others):

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Hamlin Harvest 2018

For many, many years, The Hamlin School has worked to support families experiencing homelessness in San Francisco through a profound partnership with Hamilton Families.

Hamilton Families’ mission is to end family homelessness in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Our largest event connected to Hamilton is our annual Harvest. This year over 200 Hamlin students, parents, and faculty members prepared food for families currently experiencing homelessness. On Saturday, January 27, we made vegetable lasagnas, salads, fresh garlic bread, and apple crisps. The following day a group of Hamlin Grade 8 students served the food at Hamilton Families. Altogether, Harvest provided nourishment for 300 people.

The event took place between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and consisted of two work shifts. Between the shifts, Wanda Holland Greene (Head of School) and Tomiquia Moss (Executive Director of Hamilton Families), addressed the volunteers. Ms. Holland Greene shared inspiring words and led everyone in the song With My Own Two Hands. Ms. Moss stated that we can end family homelessness in San Francisco and stressed how important is for kids at Hamilton to be known, loved, and supported by their community.

Special thanks to Hamlin parents Betsy Ahlstrand and Nichole Sullivan for helping to organize this wonderful event.

For more information about Hamilton Families, please visit: https://hamiltonfamilies.org/

 

 

Women’s March San Francisco

On January 20, 2018, Women’s March San Francisco united with multiple cities around the world to reaffirm the commitment to building a positive and just future for all.

The March began with a rally at the Civic Center, designed to engage and empower all people supporting intersectional feminism, women’s rights, human rights, civil rights, disability rights, LGBTQIA rights, workers rights, immigrant rights, reproductive, social and environmental justice (Hoodline).

Hamlin parents, students and alumnae, shared in the spirit of the day.

More information about Hamlin in the Women’s March appears in this SF Weekly article: http://www.sfweekly.com/news/youth-voices-surface-at-womens-march/