Hi! My name is Sheryl Hamm. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas and graduated from Texas A & M University in 1990 with a degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis on reading and an ESL (English as a Second Language) Certification. I taught 2nd grade for 7 years and loved my school and the children! In 1998, I quit to stay home with our children and in 2005, we were transferred to Tallahassee for my husband’s job. Since we arrived here, I have been a volunteer in Leon County Schools and at our church, Trinity United Methodist Church, and I was a substitute in Leon County Schools for 13 years until COVID arrived.
In the picture above, you’ll see my family: My husband, Bob, is a civil engineer and works for a private consulting firm. Courtney is 23, graduated from Texas A & M University with a finance degree, and lives and works in Dallas, Texas. Kristen is 21 and is a junior at FSU. Her major is Recreation and Tourism Management in the Dedman College of Hospitality and she is very involved with Dance Marathon. Zac is Kristen’s longtime boyfriend and he is currently an assistant youth pastor at a Methodist church here in town. This picture was taken over the holidays in Texas while we visited family. We were at Mount Bonnell in Austin, Texas.
I have always wanted to be a librarian, so in the Fall of 2020, I joined the MSI program at FSU. This is my final semester and I am taking 3 classes. I will graduate in April – a year earlier than planned. I have accepted a job with the Leon County Library here in Tallahassee and will begin as soon as all the paperwork is completed. I will be an Information Professional in Youth Services. I am very excited to start my new career!!!
I am excited about this class and a little anxious about this class. As you can see, I’m older than the majority of college students. When I was in high school in the late 1980’s, I took 1 computer programming class and we programmed the computer to draw simple pictures. In college, I took a FORTRAN class and got an A with the help of people in the computer lab where I did all my work. I did not own a computer until I was married. So, I have been learning as I go all these years and I have never worked with producing digital media. The closest I have gotten to things we will be doing in this class is making books about trips we’ve taken and making gifts using Shutterfly. So, all of this is a little overwhelming but I know I am capable!! I hope to be able to take things I learn here and apply them to my job in the public library.
In my spare time, my husband and I love to travel!!! I also love to scrapbook, read and spend time with my whole family!
Hi Sheryl Hamm,
It was great to read your post and to learn more about your personal and professional background. I thought your blog was very well written and easy to follow. I also loved the picture of you and your family. How do you like Texas compared to Florida? I have been to Dallas, Texas a few times. The heat in Dallas I think was so different than Florida heat. We were there in August when we visited so that’s probably why I thought so much about the heat.
Also, how cool is it to be in school at the same time as your daughter Kristen. She will see you graduate this year and in the next year you will attend her graduation.
Finally, the role of an elementary school educator is extremely important because you are teaching our future. Congrats on the job and again, I thought your post was very good and the picture and copy were professional.
Awesome work!!
Hi Sheryl! The first thing I thought as I was reading your post is how impressive your career is. I always admire teachers, especially elementary school and with an emphasis in ESL. There was a time when I thought I wanted to teach, but I soon realized that it wasn’t for me. I’m always inspired by teachers because they are so important and don’t get enough recognition (in my opinion). I also think being a stay at home mom is a lot harder than people think! My mom stayed at home for a while when we were growing up and it’s awesome to have that constant support from a parent at home.
Also, I love that you went back to school to pursue your dream of being a librarian! I feel like a lot of people think they have to have a specific timeline for their lives, which is not true at all. I hope this last semester ends well for you and you love your new job. Congratulations on an amazing career and for getting that job! Also, you have a beautiful family.
Great work!!