Hello! My name is Mrs. Hodge, and I am thrilled to be part of the Hamilton Elementary family. I have been teaching since 2011. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) and my Master’s degree in Reading from Webster University. I am currently continuing my own learning journey by pursuing my Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Maryville University.

Teaching has been my lifelong dream—literally! My mom tells me that since I was three years old, I have always said I wanted to be a teacher, and I never once changed my mind. Over the years, I have had the privilege of teaching preschool, kindergarten, and third grade, and now I’m excited to be working with second graders.

In my classroom, we work hard, learn together, have fun, and most importantly, we are a family. I focus on both academics and social–emotional growth, because I believe that students learn best when they feel safe, valued, and cared for. My goal is for every student to know they can trust me and that I truly care about their success.

One of my favorite quotes that inspires my teaching is:
"A good teacher is like a candle—it consumes itself to light the way for others." – Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

I can’t wait for another amazing year of learning, laughter, and growth!