Mr. Hamm is a math teacher here at Bourbon County High School. He teaches several classes such as: Math Transitions, Algebra 2, and Pre-AP Algebra 2. Hamm also works for the library staff during 3rd and 4th period. He is well known for his incredible teaching skills and how he makes students work for themselves. Hamm believes in kids trying to complete a task for themselves before he comes in to help and doesn’t deal with excuses. He is an excellent teacher and informs students exceedingly well. He always knows how to word it simply enough for everyone in class to understand and has ample examples to assist students in comprehending the content. I have benefited from his teaching style in his classes and have completed his classes with an A because of his ability to break math down into understandable pieces.Students appreciate Mr. Hamm’s sense of humor as he is constantly making jokes and knows how to relate to his students.   He knows when to have fun and when to be serious and get to work.

Koby: What is your favorite color?

Hamm: White. And my wife’s favorite color is black.

Koby: What is your favorite TV show  or movie?

Hamm: Favorite TV show by far is the office. Favorite movie is probably a tie between Gladiator and Braveheart.

Koby: Do you have any fun hobbies?

Hamm: Most people wouldn’t guess it, but I love to hunt. I love be to outdoors, sports, and movies- I go to the movies a lot. I also enjoy swimming; different things like that that’s outside.

Koby: What is your favorite book?

Hamm: The Bible. I grew up reading the Bible, I love it. I have always been able to pick it up and get advice from it and make things center for you sometimes.

Koby: Why did you become a teacher?

Hamm: I guess a lot of different reasons. The first one is when I was in high school, there was a teacher who was very unorthodox in the way she taught. She inspired me to realize that not all teachers had to be the same grumpy people that you see sometimes. She made it look like a different atmosphere in a classroom and I like that. I hope I try to do that too.

Koby: Favorite part of being a teacher?

Hamm: I guess to see the light bulbs come on; to see the kids achieve things, especially on tests. We do a lot of ACT things in my classes, so when my kids tell me they’ve gone up and gotten to a certain level on the ACT or even their grade in the class. If you don’t enjoy that as a teacher, I don’t know why you’re a teacher in the first place.

Koby: Favorite Sports team?

Hamm: I used to follow Peyton Manning pretty heavily, but now that he’s retired, I don’t have a favorite sports team. So, I guess probably UK would be my favorite sports team.

Koby: How did you get involved with the library staff? What periods do you help?

Hamm: When I was teaching, I realized that in the math classroom a lot of kids don’t necessarily love to be in there. It’s not one of their favorite place to be in. I always thought I’d like to be in a room where people wanted to be. I picked up a degree in School Administration to be a principal. But I realized that in order to be a principal, you have to live at the school. The room in the building where the kids like to be in most was the library. I always liked to read when I was younger, I kind of got out of it, but now I’m back into it. I help the library during 3rd and 4th period this year.

Koby: Any advice for new teachers?

Hamm: Teaching is not easy, if it’s done right. Teaching takes a lot of work; you can’t always do the same thing over and over again. You have to adapt and try new things. I think sometimes I have to listen to that advice, but if I was a young teacher again, I would try to be more open to some things. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve closed so many doors that I’m not so open to things. Know what works for you and make that the best thing for you.

Koby: How long have you been a teacher? At BCHS?

Hamm: This is year 15 for me. This is my 3rd year here at BCHS.

Koby: Can you describe how you deal with students?

Hamm: We talk about in teaching a lot with student engagement. To make sure students are doing something. I try to make sure that every person in my class is doing something. It helps with discipline and it helps with achievement. Students don’t necessarily like it because they want to relax and be on their phone. But I think if we can get them involved with a math problem and try to make it as interesting as possible; try to keep it very exciting. Like timing stuff, really challenge them. Just make sure they’re engaged.

Koby: Anything else you’d like us to know?

Hamm: Koby is awesome.