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After 18 years of dedicated service to Hamilton High School, beloved special education paraprofessional Sharon Inman is set to retire at the end of the school year.

Inman, who worked closely with teachers Mike Stielstra and Mackenzie Westra in the MERIT program, has been a key figure in supporting students both inside and outside the classroom. Her passion for education, paired with her heart for students, made her a true asset to the Hawkeye Family.

"I have loved every minute of it," Inman shared. "We've got the best crew here at the high school. It's been very rewarding to see students succeed, not just academically, but outside of the classroom as well."

One of Inman’s favorite memories from her final year at Hamilton was watching her students participate in Special Olympics Unified basketball — and seeing the whole school rally around them in support. "It was really exciting to see the other students get so excited for our kids. That’s been a really fun time," she said.

Beyond academics, Inman was deeply involved in enrichment activities, leading Thursday work groups that cleaned at the district’s bus garage and organizing Tuesday art projects — affectionately dubbed “Art with Inman” — to help students express their creativity.

"I really enjoy anything involving crafts and artistic activities, so being able to share that with our students has been one of the highlights of my week," Inman said.

Prior to joining Hamilton High School, Inman spent 14 years working as an interpreter for the deaf, a career she once thought she would stay in for life. But when her youngest son entered ninth grade at Hamilton, she found herself stepping into a new role — and immediately knew she was where she belonged.

"Coming to Hamilton just ended up being a perfect fit for me," she reflected. "Mike [Stielstra] and I have worked together for 18 years, and he has been a wonderful teammate. And now with Mackenzie Westra joining us, it’s just been a really great environment."

While she is excited to spend more time with her ten grandchildren and stay active in her church — where she leads a kids club on Wednesday nights — Inman admits it will be bittersweet when the next school year begins without her.

"I’m really going to miss the students and my fellow staff members," she said. "That’s going to be the hard part."