Hollister
– Bob Hammond has played a part in the education of literally
thousands of local children. Having served as principal of four
elementary schools over the course of 22 years, he’s an educational
institution. But all good things come to an end, and Friday will be
Hammond’s last day of school.
Hollister – Bob Hammond has played a part in the education of literally thousands of local children. Having served as principal of four elementary schools over the course of 22 years, he’s an educational institution. But all good things come to an end, and Friday will be Hammond’s last day of school.
“I’m going to keep myself busy,” he said. “I think of this more as a changing of gears than retirement.”
Hammond, 59, first visited Hollister as a child when his parents came to spend time with family and friends living in the county. Despite the fact that both his parents worked in education, however, it was never a field that interested him until later in life.
“I never really liked school when I was a kid,” he said. “I mean I went, and sports got me through, but I never really enjoyed being in class.”
After a stint in the Navy, Hammond returned to school. One of his early courses was a psychology class that involved a community service project, which Hammond satisfied by volunteering in elementary school classrooms.
“I really enjoyed it,” he said. “I found myself asking ‘What can I do to make school better for these kids?’ And I decided it was just what I was called to do.”
Hammond received his bachelor’s with a teaching credential from CalPoly San Luis Obispo, and earned his master’s at Pepperdine University. After working as a teacher and principal in Tulare County for several years, he applied for a job in Hollister and became principal of the now-defunct Fremont School in 1984.
“I knew this was going to be a wonderful place to work because of the community here,” he said. “It’s just the most fantastic group of teachers and parents.”
After many years as principal for both Fremont and Calaveras Schools, Hammond received a unique opportunity: Hollister School District officials asked him to help plan and establish Ladd Lane School. Hammond had a hand in just about every aspect of the fledgling school, from how the campus was designed to who would work there, and spent several weekends laying sod with teachers and parents.
“I’m tremendously proud of the work we’ve done here,” he said. “I think our school has been so successful because we all feel this unique sense of ownership about this place.”
Those who work with and for Hammond describe him as a positive person and a strong leader, and are sad to see him leave.
“I’m crying over the fact that he’s leaving,” said Ladd Lane kindergarten teacher Michal Query, who has worked with Hammond for nine years. “He’s a wonderful principal and person, because he knows what everyone’s strengths are and lets them use those strengths in the classroom.”
After nearly six years as the father of Ladd Lane, however, Hammond is turning over the reins to Maxine Carlson, the school’s current vice principal.
“She’s a wonderful person to work with, more like a co-administrator than a vice principal,” he said.
Hammond’s retirement plans are more ambitious than sipping cocktails on the beach, however. An Anglican priest, he hopes to devote more of his time to spiritual pursuits, and is also going to take the helm of an orange grove in Southern California that once belonged to his grandparents.
“It’s where I spent all of my holidays as a kid,” he said. “I feel very lucky to be able to continue that tradition.”
Though he has high hopes for the future, Hammond says he will miss the community where he raised four children and helped shape the lives of countless more.
“Absolutely the greatest thing in the world is working with kids, and seeing them grow into happy, successful human beings, and thinking that maybe you had a little something to do with that,” he said. “It will be hard to leave Hollister, because I’ve made a lot of friends here. It’s my home.”
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
