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After more than three decades of dedication, Mrs. Jill Koopman, a beloved second-grade teacher at Hamilton Elementary, will be retiring at the end of the school year.

For 31 years, Koopman has served the students, families, and staff of Hamilton Elementary with care, warmth, and a passion for learning that has left a lasting mark on the community.

“I love hanging out with seven and eight-year-olds—they’re just the best,” she said. “We’ve got such wonderful families here in Hamilton, and over the years, I’ve gotten to know so many of them. The staff is like family. After doing life together, you just become one big happy family.”

Koopman’s connection to the Hamilton community runs deep. She first entered the doors of Hamilton Elementary as a kindergarten student in 1972 and went on to graduate from Hamilton High School, along with her husband. The couple chose to raise their four children in the same strong, close-knit school system.

“There have been a lot of changes over the last 30 years,” she reflected. “But one thing that has stayed the same is the Hamilton community—it’s like a family. Everybody knows each other, supports each other when times are tough, and it’s a great place to be.”

While most of her teaching career has been spent in second grade, Koopman’s impact reaches far beyond the classroom. Whether mentoring new teachers, supporting school events, or simply offering a kind word in the hallway, she has embodied what it means to be a Hawkeye.

As her final school year winds down, Koopman admits the end will be “bittersweet.”

“Leaving hasn’t really set in,” she said. “It’s just part of my life and what I do every day, so I think it’s going to be a big change. It’s going to be difficult to say goodbye after 31 years, but I’m also looking forward to what God has in store for the next phase of my life.”

That next chapter includes two grandchildren on the way, a continued role in children’s ministry at her church, and staying connected to Hamilton Elementary through the Kids Hope program.

Koopman closed her reflections with gratitude: “I just want to thank Hamilton Community Schools for allowing me to be here for the last 31 years. It’s been great. It’s been so memorable. I’ve just been blessed to be part of the Hawkeye family and the Hawkeye community."