Pulaski Elementary School has named Mrs. Jessica Hamblin as their 2022-23 Teacher of the year.
Mrs. Hamblin is a Pulaski County High School and Radford University graduate and is currently finishing up her 16th year with Pulaski County Public Schools. She began her teaching career at Critzer Elementary School, where she spent two years. She then moved to Pulaski Elementary, where she remains today.
Hamblin teaches first grade at PES.
“She is always in a good mood, and her smile is contagious,” Pulaski Elementary School Principal Mike Price said. “It is easy to see how much she loves her children.”
“My favorite thing about teaching first grade is watching the light bulb go off and building little readers,” Hamblin said. “Overall, for teaching my favorite thing is building relationships with students and keeping in touch with them and watching them go off to do great things.”
“If I were to leave first grade, I would go back to third grade,” she added. “After teaching third grade for years, a piece of my heart will always be there. The age of third grade kids is one of my favorites, they are growing into their personalities and yet still want to impress you.”
When asked what made her decide to go into teaching, Hamblin said, “From the time I was little I wanted to be a teacher. I would set my stuffed animals and dolls up and play school. I’ve always loved to be around kids, they are good for the soul and can always make me smile and see the joy in the simple things. I knew this from the time I was in elementary school. Diane Dalton and Jenny Abbott, now Jenny Makolandra, were my favorite elementary school teachers, and I wanted to be just like them.”
If she weren’t a teacher, Hamblin says she has a good idea where she’d be.
“If I wasn’t a teacher, I would have chosen a career in nursing and be a hospice nurse,” she said. “This year my family formed a close relationship with a hospice nurse and watching the love and care he provided for my father-in-law made me think if I wasn’t a teacher, that is what I would do.”
“Though I don’t see it as a challenge for myself, I know communication and relationships is difficult for some,” she said about challenges some teachers face. “I strive to keep positive interactions with students and parents and am able to build relationships. I enjoy seeing students and parents out in the community.”
In the nomination form, her coworkers stated, “Mrs. Hamblin is a veteran teacher at Pulaski Elementary. She has recently switched to first grade to help gaps in that grade. She volunteered to switch grades without complaining. She always has a pleasant demeanor about her, and you can hear her laugh all the way down the hall. She helps with many after school activities. She also is involved with many committees, teaches Summer School, and is an After School Tutor. She is always finding creative ways to reach her students, and will help the school whenever she can. She has an infectious smile that helps lift up other teachers, staff, and students.”
When not at work, Mrs. Hamblin enjoys a variety of things.
“My three girls keep me on my toes,” she admitted. “We are always on the run to a horse show, a swim meet, piano, or a soccer game. There isn’t much down time at our house. When I do have free time, I do enjoy reading a good book and love a good family movie night at my house.”
As for her family life, Hamblin feels like she has a tremendous support system.
“My husband is Aaron Hamblin,” she said. “We have three daughters. Kylene Hamblin, 16, is a junior at PCHS. Josie Hamblin, 15, is a freshman at PCHS. Charlie Anne Hamblin, 13, is an eighth grader at PCMS. They are always my biggest supporters and encouragers. My mom, mother-in-law, sister, and sister-in-law are always supportive of my classroom and students. They are always willing to help in any way they can. It may be donating snacks, incentives for my room, or even coming up and helping in my room. Also, the PES faculty and staff are the best support system. Everyone in the building works as a team to make each child successful. They are always willing to give new ideas and strategies for teaching to help others, but also keep relationships positive with students all around the building. Pulaski Elementary is a big family, everyone is so supportive of each other. It truly is the best place to be.”