In 2008, Abby Ekkens joined the Hamilton High School staff as a physical education and health teacher while also coaching volleyball, marking the beginning of a journey that would deeply connect her to the Hamilton community.
"I knew just from talking with a few people that Hamilton was a community-based school and that was something I was looking for," Ekkens said. "I applied, was interviewed, and was lucky enough to get hired."
Initially moving to the area because of her upcoming marriage and her husband's work in nearby Zeeland, Abby quickly fell in love with the close-knit, welcoming environment Hamilton is known for.
"After a couple of years, we moved to Hamilton because we love it here," Ekkens added. "The staff is like family to me and the students are awesome, community is encouraging, we're lucky to be here and we intend to stay for a long time."
Over the years, Abby has built strong relationships with students, parents, and fellow educators, becoming a valued member of the Hamilton Community Schools family. Now, with children of her own attending Hamilton schools, her ties to the district have grown even stronger. Abby is passionate about promoting health and wellness, and her dedication to the well-being of students is evident in her work, especially in her Unified Physical Education class, which blends general education students with athletes from the MERIT classrooms.
"I really focus on helping kids and the struggles of high school," she added.
Abby’s commitment to Hamilton is more than professional—it’s personal. She continues to inspire and support students, while also being an active part of the larger community she now proudly calls home.
