For the past 26 years, kindergarten teacher Sue Nykamp has spent her career with Hamilton Community Schools, guiding our youngest learners through their first-year in education.
“Kindergarten is where many students begin reading for the first time,” Nykamp said. “When they realize they can read words and start putting them together, you can see the excitement right away.”
Over the course of the school year, students develop foundational skills in literacy and math. Many begin the year learning letters and number recognition and finish the year building early reading skills and understanding concepts like addition and subtraction.
“There’s a lot of growth that happens in kindergarten,” Nykamp said. “Students come in with many different experiences, and throughout the year we work to support each child so they can continue building confidence in school.”
Nykamp says the kindergarten experience is designed to balance academic learning with opportunities for students to build friendships and learn social skills.
“Academics are important, but kindergarten is also about learning how to be part of a classroom community,” she said. “Students still need time to play, explore, and interact with each other while they’re learning.”
For Nykamp, Hamilton is more than just where she teaches — it’s the community where she raised her own children.
“Hamilton to me is home,” she said. “It’s a place where staff truly care about students and want them to succeed.”
Families interested in learning more about Young 5s and Kindergarten for the 2026–27 school year must fill out the Young 5s/Kindergarten registration form.
