By Laura Hammack

Twenty years ago, on almost this date exactly, I walked up the stairs to the “White House” for the very first time.

I was interviewing for the first time ever for an opportunity to teach a special education class at Nashville Elementary School and was asked to meet with Mr. Baxter Hamblin, principal of Nashville Elementary School, and Mrs. Cynthia Salmon, the director of special education. I was 22 years old and straight out of graduate school. Boy, was I nervous!

While I felt like my interview went well, I was sure that I didn’t have the job because Mr. Hamblin had asked me if I knew who “Columbo” was and I didn’t have a clue.

Thankfully, my lack of television knowledge from the ’70s didn’t get in the way of one of the most important moments in my life. Thankfully, several days later, Mr. Hamblin offered me the job.

Little did I know, this job offer would be one of the best days in my life because this was the day I would begin a lifelong affection and appreciation for Brown County Schools.

It is an absolute gift to be back “home” in the district that gave so much to me for the 13 years where I served as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent. It’s exciting for me to now be able to give back a portion of what I have been given by so many people in this community. I am humbled by that opportunity.

I am genuinely honored to serve as your new superintendent of schools and pledge to work tirelessly together with our board of school trustees and the entire school community to provide the best educational programs and experiences for the boys and girls of Brown County.

I look forward to listening and learning from you, our school community, and working together with you to continue to offer world-class educational experiences for the students who attend this incredible school district.

Should you have any questions, concerns, ideas or suggestions regarding the delivery of programs and services across the school district, I genuinely invite you to give me a call and will look forward to the opportunity to have a conversation: 812-988-6601.

I am also excited to share several platforms that will allow for us to increase our communication with the entire school community through email “blast” newsletters and social media platforms.

I will be posting daily celebrations from around the district via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. In order to gain access to those celebrations, please “like” or “follow” me on:

Facebook: Brown County Superintendent

Instagram: browncountysupt

Twitter: BrownCountySupt

I look forward to the opportunity to communicate with all of you via this column and sincerely appreciate the Brown County Democrat for allowing me the platform to continue one of the many great successes of Mr. Shaffer’s superintendency.

Laura Hammack is superintendent of Brown County Schools.