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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (July 7, 2021)
Wednesday, July 7, 2021 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 7 Michele Hammer wraps up teaching career in Sisters By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent When Michele Hammer started working for the Sisters School District in 2005, she couldn9t really pic- ture the varied positions she would hold over the next 16 years. Now, after officially retiring in June, she looks back with a feeling of satis- faction as an educator who served where needed, and as an advocate for students. Hammer came to Sisters well equipped to handle the variety of roles she ultimately took on. After spending her youth in San Francisco, she attended the University of Puget Sound, where she earned a degree in American Studies/secondary education and followed up with law school in San Diego. The antitrust work Hammer did as an attorney did not hold her passion, so she turned to the love she held for <work- ing with kids and being out- side,= leading her to enter a master9s program at the University of Oregon in ther- apeutic recreation. Though family obliga- tions kept her from com- pleting that degree, she had enough training and experi- ence to be hired as a recre- ational therapist operating an animal therapy program and day camps in the Lake Oswego area, where she stayed for 10 years. Hammer spent another 10 years at a day-treatment facility, where she got her first experience in a classroom. <I found that I really enjoyed working with kids in an educational environment,= she said, <so I went back to school once again, attending Concordia University during the evenings, and earned my master9s degree in teaching in order to have the option of moving into the public school system.= I found that I really enjoyed working with kids in an educational environment. — Michele Hammer Hammer had gotten a taste of Central Oregon ear- lier in her life after spending eight summers from 1974 to 1982 working at Camp Tamarack west of Sisters, and she wanted to reside in the area. She moved to Bend in 1998 and actually com- muted to Portland for over five years. <I would leave Bend at the crack of dawn on Monday mornings and return Friday evenings, while also working to complete my master9s in teaching,= she said. An end to the crazy com- muting schedule came in 2005 when Hammer, thanks to all of her experience and education, got hired in Sisters to develop the alter- native education program for Sisters School District. In the ensuing years, Hammer found herself in a variety of roles and also con- tinued her own education. <My jobs for the Sisters School District have been many and varied,= she said. In 10 years with the high school, Hammer served as the alternative education director and teacher, taught special education, worked as the leadership teacher, and held the titles of activities director and dean of students. <And, in the midst of all that, I also completed my administrative license,= she said. Hammer moved to Sisters Middle School in 2015 where she taught U.S. History and held the position of dean of students. In 2017, she served as temporary principal for more than half the year when the principal had to step down. Hammer served out- side the regular school day as well. <I had the privilege of helping to coach the high school swim team with Isolde Hedemark and working with Bill Rexford to develop a girls lacrosse program in Sisters, which led to coach- ing the high school program for seven years,= she said. <Those were activities I loved doing, along with putting on the Mr. SHS Pageants, help- ing students organize fund- raisers, and other activities. I hold fond memories for all those things.= As someone who cared deeply about her fellow staff members and worked to WINNEMUCCA, NV AUGUST 13-15, 2021 | $124 PPDO WE TAKE YOUR VISION FROM DESIGN TO COMPLETION 541-549-0968 Custom Doors Windows Skylights Millwork & Trim Check Out THIS WEEK’S NUGGET INSERT! RAY’S FOOD PLACE Assorted Pork Chops $1.99 per lb. Washington Fuji Apples 541-588-6201 Window Blinds Shades Shutters Call for an appointment today! www.lakeview millworkssales.com 261 E. 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NOV. 29-DEC 1 | $699 PPDO Includes 2 nights, 2 dinners, 2 full breakfast buffets, and sleigh ride. Enjoy the Bavarian village shops and holiday lights and sounds. PEARL HARBOR DEC. 3-9, 2021 STARTING AT $4,799 PPDO* Commemorating the 80th anniversary, includes air, taxes, transfers, 7 days/6 nts., VIP admission to Pearl Harbor & special events, USS Missouri, USS Arizona, & much more! $20 meal/ beverage credit per person per day. * subject to air availability Connie Boyle 541-508-1500 Box 615 Sisters, OR 97759 PHOTO BY CHARLIE KANZIG Michele Hammer spent the final 16 years of her career in education in Sisters, and she is now ready for some summer fun. advocate for them, Hammer served as the president of the teacher9s union for the past three years. Hammer spent much of her long career work- ing with young people who faced particular hardships or challenges. <I think the most memo- rable and satisfying moments are those where I am still See HAMMER on page 16