Mrs. Hamilton has taken the new position of Dean of Teaching in her 28th year of service to Belmont Hill after heading Belmont Hill’s Middle School for thirteen of those years. In reflecting on her experience as Director of the Middle School, Mrs. Hamilton says that she loved being a part of the beginning of a student’s journey here. Some of her favorite Middle-School traditions include Greek and Roman Field Day, the Thanksgiving Turkey Drive, and the Form II trip to Washington, D.C. Mrs. Hamilton is very proud of the eight core words she selected in collaboration with the Middle School Senate. Those words are respect, effort, teamwork, responsibility, leadership, empathy, courage, and integrity, which can be seen on the bottom floor of Melvoin. During her first year in the role, the Middle School transitioned from the old Howe building to mobile educational units on the chapel lawn, which served as the Middle School building for one and a half years. She is grateful that the students and teachers together were able to make the temporary space feel like a home before moving into the bigger and more modern Melvoin Academic Center. Some of the more challenging elements of her former position came during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The isolation made it harder for the strong sense of community at BH to be present during that time. Furthermore, Mrs. Hamilton was excited to take the role of Dean of Teaching and Learning so she can focus on supporting the new teachers, as well as the returning ones. The goal of this new role is to be sure there is a support system in place for the adults. She says “the men and women on this faculty, on this staff, on this admin team are simply wonderful human beings and I am grateful to learn and laugh with them.” During her time so far at Belmont Hill, Mrs. Hamilton is grateful for the multiple opportunities she has had and continues to enjoy, including being an English teacher, an advisor, a coach, and a theater director. She is also grateful for the relationships she has formed at Belmont Hill, as they are what makes this school so special. She is looking to pay forward the support she received from colleagues such as Mr. Martin, Mr. Cressey, Mr. Melvoin, and Dr. Goodband, as well as many others. She is thrilled to have Mr. Sullivan as the next Middle School director. We thank Mrs. Hamilton for thirteen years as Head of the Middle School filled with dedication and kindness, and look forward to what the future holds for her.
Story
Page