When fourth-grade teacher Aubree Folkert steps into her classroom at Hamilton Elementary each morning, she’s reminded of just how special this place truly is. Not long ago, she was sitting on the other side of the desk—now, she’s living her lifelong dream of teaching where it all began.
“I graduated from Hamilton High School in 2021 and then went on to Hope College to earn my degree in elementary education,” Folkert said. “Now, I’m so happy to be back here teaching at Hamilton where I once went to school.”
Folkert’s passion for education began early. She vividly remembers being just six years old in kindergarten when she first knew she wanted to be a teacher. “I fell in love with learning, but I was also fascinated by what my teachers were doing—how they helped students learn while continuing to learn themselves,” she explained. “That’s something that never changed for me.”
As a senior at Hamilton High School, Folkert took part in the district’s Teacher Assisting Program, allowing her to return to Hamilton Elementary and work alongside her own former kindergarten teacher, Jana Zweering. That experience solidified her calling. “It was really special to come full circle like that,” she shared. “Working with Mrs. Zweering that year sealed the deal for me—it confirmed that education was exactly what I wanted to do.”
Now in her first year teaching, Folkert’s focus goes beyond academics. Building strong relationships with her students is her top priority. “Each day, I want my students to know that they are seen and valued,” she said. “They’re an important part of our classroom community, and I make sure to greet each one of them every morning.”
Folkert also credits the support of her colleagues and the positive culture within the district for making her transition into teaching so meaningful. “It’s been truly special to work with my teammates Erin [Slotman] and Morgan [Renkema]—they’ve been amazing mentors,” she said. “Everyone here works together to help our students succeed.”
Returning to Hamilton as a teacher has been nothing short of surreal for Folkert—but it’s exactly where she wants to be. “This was my dream spot and my dream grade level,” she said with a smile. “The fact that a fourth-grade position opened at Hamilton Elementary was such a blessing. I see myself teaching here for a very long time.”
