Hamilton High School senior James Hoffman is getting a head start on his dream of becoming a teacher through the school’s Teacher Assistant (TA) program. This year, he has been shadowing teachers and working directly with students, an experience that has helped him confirm his passion for education.
James has spent much of his time assisting Jana Zweering, a kindergarten teacher at Hamilton Elementary, an assignment that initially felt uncertain.
“I went into this year thinking, ‘Oh no, kindergarten—I don’t know how I feel about that,’” he admitted. “But I’ve come out loving it.”
Through the TA program, he has explored multiple grade levels, including second, third, and fourth grade, as well as special education classrooms. His goal is to become a special education teacher, and the opportunity to work with different age groups has helped him better understand where he wants to be.
“One of the main reasons I did TA was just to figure out where I belonged and what I liked,” he explained. “That’s definitely been checked off the list this year.”
Mrs. Zweering has been impressed with his dedication and enthusiasm.
“He’s been an integral part of our year,” she shared. “Anytime he can’t be here, the students are always asking, ‘When is he coming back?’”
James’ willingness to jump in and try new things has made him a favorite among the students. Whether leading read-alouds, participating in brain breaks, or playing with students at recess, he has built strong connections in the classroom.
“The kids built a lot of rapport with him right out of the gate,” said Mrs. Zweering. “He’s gone above and beyond when he’s here, and it’s been a really positive experience for all of us.”
As part of his coursework with Mrs. Kapenga, his TA mentor and teacher, James recently completed a project-based learning experiment to help students learn about vowels, consonants, and punctuation.
Using styrofoam letters and punctuation marks, he created a hands-on activity where students sorted the pieces into categories, making learning both interactive and engaging.
“The students love it,” he said.
Through this experience, James has not only confirmed his passion for education but has also developed valuable teaching skills. His ability to take initiative, connect with students, and embrace challenges will serve him well as he moves on to college and beyond.
“I hope that he’s getting a really good feel of what it’s like to be a classroom teacher,” Mrs. Zweering added. “So he can use the knowledge he’s gained this year in the future.”
