Leadership · Curriculum · STEM
April 2, 2020
I can’t believe this is happening! And in our lifetime! I must have said this to my wife a hundred times in the last few weeks. Even though I watch the news every day to see how COVID-19 spreads throughout the world and is predicted to kill well over 1,000,000 Read more…
March 14, 2020
I’m supposed to be getting a ton of stuff done right now, like grad school work, lesson plans, and the usual weekend chores around the house, but I just can’t. Like many humans in the world, I’m having a hard time concentrating on the tasks at hand. I have to Read more…
A year ago, my former fifth grade teammate’s son died. The boy was just nine-years old. I went to the funeral. It was an absolutely horrible experience–one of the worst of my life. I’ll never forget it. Every attendee was mixed in tears, sobbing, wailing, and prayers, and I’m tearing Read more…
January 26, 2020
I’ve never known the kind of love like the kind a father has for his child. Until two years ago. And it’s been quite the ride so far… For the first time in a parent-teacher conference, I was on the other side of the table. The Curious Parent Anxiety set Read more…
December 31, 2019
It was the Saturday afternoon after Thanksgiving of 1995, in that forsaken 2:00-4:00pm window, the time when no one wants to be in the gym working. Not the coach. Not the janitor. And definitely not the growing sophomores of the Kankakee Valley High School Junior Varsity Basketball Team. Hmm… No Read more…
Oh my… I can’t believe how much has changed. Over the last five years, I’ve celebrated several successes and peaks. We got married, bought a house and a minivan, and had one child (so far). I started grad school (MSA), transitioned from a fifth grade teacher to a STEM Specialist, Read more…
I love blogging. It’s here–in my #HamstraHighlights reflections–where my most meaningful learning happens. There are so many reasons why I blog, and it’s by far the best professional learning I’ve ever had. To those who encouraged me to start my own professional portfolio, THANK YOU. Although each post is the culmination of Read more…
October 27, 2019
I absolutely love professional learning experiences. I love connecting with people. First, there’s the hype of the event itself. Then, there’s the anticipation of attending a quality session. Finally, it’s really happening, and I’m reflecting through live tweets to collect in Wakelet, Google Keep, and future blogs. And then we Read more…
October 5, 2019
This is important. Do it today. Right now… To those who matter to you–tell them. Don't let another day go by without saying:I love you.I appreciate you.I'm happy that you're in my life.TY for being there for me.You help me #becomebetter.I can't wait to see you again.#fitleaders #fitat40 #keepburning #healthywake Read more…
October 3, 2019
There’s a lot going on here… What are your takeaways? As a parent, I can't wait for our baby to start talking. As an educator, I'm really thinking through this quote at the 0:55 mark: https://t.co/0svd7hiaqo — Kyle Hamstra (@KyleHamstra) October 1, 2019
September 14, 2019
Experiencing life through the lens of a parent has really convicted, challenged, and rerouted me as an educator. Striving to address the needs of the whole child is so different to me now than in my previous 17 years of teaching. I marvel at how my mindset has shifted in Read more…
September 6, 2019
I turn 40 this year. And that has me thinking. Again. Have I fulfilled my purpose by this stage in life? What really matters? What’s meaningful? What have I gained? In a deathbed moment, what would I regret in my heart of hearts? Approaching the new year, a friend of mine declared Read more…
August 5, 2019
Hey, Friends! Not sure about you, but I’ve seen a ton of twitter-shaming lately. What’s going on? I’m taking a moment to pause, reflect, and seek your feedback. This isn’t about the President, politics, or celebrities. This isn’t the space for the gossip train or the petty stuff. This isn’t Read more…
July 19, 2019
Hey, Friends! Like millions of educators and organizational leadership enthusiasts around the world, I’ve been reading and rereading Brene Brown‘s book: dare to lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. For those who’ve read it, I’m on number 14 in The Armory. Again. For those who haven’t read it, I’m on Read more…
July 7, 2019
I don’t know it all. And I think most people would agree that they don’t, either. But here’s the super scary thing. There’s more! As a classroom teacher, there were so many things I didn’t know… that I didn’t know. Nothing has made me more aware of this simple truth Read more…
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