As seniors move onto the next stage of their lives, English teacher Eghosa Obaizamomwan Hamilton may also bid farewell to the Cal High campus after 16 years.
Hamilton currently teaches English 11 as well as English 12 Emphasis on Social Justice, which is part of the four-year Social Justice pathway.
After this year, Hamilton’s possible plans include teaching at a college level. She graduated in May from her doctoral program at University of San Francisco with a degree in International and Multicultural Education. She has attended interviews to become a tenured professor at several colleges, but nothing is set in stone as she’s still considering what would be best for her family.
“If I do return here, it’s not like I’m going to be sad,” Hamilton said. “But I feel like the work that I’ve been doing has been leading me to a path that’s a bit beyond what has been my position here.”
Hamilton began teaching after graduating college to follow her passion: working with young people. After being assigned to Cal as a student teacher in 2008, she was hired later that year.
Social Justice English is an extension of her open-ended approach to teaching. Instead of adhering to a set curriculum, the course explores contemporary issues and contextualizes material with current events.
“I’ve always had an eye for trying to teach in a way that was beyond just reading comprehension and vocabulary,” Hamilton said. “I want students to ask, ‘What’s going on around the world? How can we utilize the text we’re reading and what we’re doing in class?’”
Although the course initially faced some pushback, it’s now popular with students who prefer a more flexible, discussion-oriented English class.
“I chose this pathway because I like learning about different views and seeing things without a bias,” senior Sarah Livingston said.
Added senior Adil Ally, “The content itself is much more diverse and set in the real world.”
The course doesn’t just tackle real-world issues though, it also fosters real-world skills as well. By encouraging creativity and critical thinking, Hamilton’s teaching helps students develop in ways applicable beyond a school environment.
“She just wants you to take your ideas wherever you take them, and put your artistic abilities into it,” senior Asita Singh said. “I’m so used to strict rules, but in this class, it’s very different. I’ve gained a lot of independent thinking when it comes to completing projects.”
Added senior Dhara Jain, “I’ve learned to be confident in asking questions and being able to look at things through different lenses.”
Hamilton’s heavy involvement in activities like Socratic seminars contribute to how she helps her students grow. Rather than only having students communicate with each other, discussions in her class are a two-way street for learning that include her as well.
“There are many teachers who have class conversations, but you rarely ever get a teacher that actually joins in on the conversation and responds to what students are saying, and she does that,” Singh said. “She includes herself in our conversations.”
Hamilton is recognized for showing genuine care toward every individual. Singh calls her a teacher and a friend, while senior Joanne Talino describes Hamilton and her students as always learning together.
In the way she treats her students, Hamilton demonstrates the nuance and empathy key to understanding the course’s heavy, thought-provoking topics. She also reaffirms that her class is a safe space for all.
“As a teacher at this pivotal point in students’ lives, my takeaway is how important that position is and what it means to be a teacher that is looking at them as a whole person, as a human being that’s bringing many elements with them as they walk into my classroom,” Hamilton said.
Regardless of what path she takes next year, Hamilton’s students are enthusiastic about what lies ahead for her.
“I’m glad that if she’s leaving, it’s after I graduate,” Singh said . “I look up to her so much. She’s one of the smartest people I know. Whatever she does, she’ll be successful.”
Added senior Kaustav Pal, “She’s always been pretty vocal about her passion to pursue teaching at higher level institutions like college.”
Until her plans are finalized, Hamilton remains dedicated to her current students.
“I am here, and I am a graduate of a doc program in part because of the many students I’ve had over the last 16 years,” she said.
News Lite editor Zaki Humayun contributed to this story.
