After nine years away working for Hope College, Doug Braschler is set to return to Hamilton Community Schools in the 2024-25 school year. Despite numerous roles including teacher, coach, Athletic Director, Assistant Principal, and Hamilton High School Principal during his 32 years in the district, Braschler is set to experience something new this fall as he gets behind the wheel of a bus for HCS.
After his first retirement from education and Hamilton in 2015, Braschler decided to continue a career at Hope College as their Director of Accreditation. However, after nine wonderful years there, he says he is ready to return to his hometown district.
“I told my wife, ‘I would love to come back and do something that helps the community and helps the district’, and the thing that kept screaming to me was bus driving and the need for bus drivers, so that’s what I decided I wanted to do,” Braschler explained.
Braschler, a favorite teacher and administrator for many Hamilton graduates and staff members, never wanted to work anywhere but Hamilton.
“In 32 years, I never felt like it was going to work, it’s the people, the community in general, the support for the schools, all those wonderful things made me realize I’m not quite done with this place just yet,” he smiled.
After obtaining his Commercial Drivers License (CDL) in June, Braschler is set to hit the road with a bus full of students in August, and he can’t wait for his new role.
“Every child deserves a great start to their day and a great end to their day and I think I have the skills to allow every kid on my bus to feel loved, to feel honored, and I can’t wait to get started.”
