When Brendan Ritchie walked the halls of Hamilton High School as a student, he never imagined that just a few years later he would return.
A 2019 Hamilton High School graduate, Ritchie is now teaching Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 at HHS, stepping into a role that once inspired him from the other side of the desk.
“I remember thinking, I want to be a teacher,” Ritchie shared. “I knew I wanted to be a swim coach, and I knew I wanted to be at Hamilton. It’s kind of like having your dream job and not realizing it.”
Coming back to the district that shaped him has been both meaningful and surreal. The teachers who once guided him through high school are now his colleagues.
“I’m surrounded by a bunch of awesome teachers who taught me most of the things that I know,” he said. “Now I kind of have that same thing as calling them colleagues. That’s pretty awesome. Calling them by their first name is still not fully real to me yet," he chuckled.
For Ritchie, returning to Hamilton has given him a new appreciation for the inner workings of a school community. As a student, he experienced the support. As a teacher, he sees the dedication behind the scenes.
“Realizing all the work that goes into every day of school — not only the stuff I have to do as a teacher, but what our principals, counselors, office staff, everyone does to keep the Hamilton community running — I don’t take it for granted.”
In the classroom, Ritchie brings energy, relatability, and a strong connection to students. Having sat in the same seats not long ago, he understands the pressures and questions students face — especially when it comes to math.
As both a teacher and swim coach, Ritchie is continuing the cycle of mentorship that once impacted him. He is proof that Hamilton Community Schools not only prepares students for their future — but sometimes brings them right back home.
