By Sarah Sell, University Communications and Marketing
A year ago, Adam Hamilton had his hands full.
He was working towards graduation, interning as a teacher in Hillsborough County, dealing with flooding in his home from Hurricane Helene and getting ready to welcome a third child while raising two young sons.
This year is just as eventful. In addition to prepping for a new hurricane season, Hamilton’s wife gave birth to a healthy baby girl in June. On August 14, he will start his first full-time job as a fourth-grade teacher at SLAM Academy in Apollo Beach.
“I’m excited. I think last year gave me a lot of confidence, and USF prepared me very well through the College of Education,” said Hamilton. “I have some nerves meeting a new group of students and seeing what they will be like, but I’m ready to get started.”
Hamilton graduated from USF St. Petersburg in spring 2025 and credits his internship for helping him transition into a permanent, full-time position at the same school. He spent the past few weeks setting up his classroom, which he said “might not be as creative as the other rooms” due to his military background.
Adam on his first day of classes as a teacher, August 14, at SLAM Academy in Apollo Beach.
“I’m looking around and feel like I’m missing some things. I was in the Marines, and I think that made me structured and simple,” Hamilton said with a laugh. “I need to add some personality to the room.”
Hamilton served for nine years in the United States Marine Corps as a Military Working Dog handler, assigned to explosive detection duties. The experience sparked his passion for a new mission in education.
“I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but during my time in the Marines, I gained a passion for helping people. I’ve always loved working with kids, and teaching feels like the perfect way to do that,” he said.
Hamilton used the university’s Office of Veteran Success (OVS) to guide him through his academic journey. The office assists student veterans in learning about the college application process, navigating VA benefits, graduating and finding employment opportunities.
Between the staff at OVS and in the College of Education, Hamilton said he always had someone to turn to if life got challenging.
When back-to-back hurricanes hit the Tampa Bay area in September 2024, Hamilton’s home flooded in the first one, and winds tore down their fence in the second. So close to finishing his degree, his professors made sure he had what he needed to graduate on time.
“I kept them in the loop with everything that was going on and they bent over backwards to help,” he said. “I still live in the same house, so I’m hoping for a lighter hurricane season this year.”
As the new school year approaches, Hamilton reflects on the challenges of the past year. From floods and fatherhood to student and teacher, each experience has helped shape who he is today.
Now, with a full-time classroom of his own and a growing family at home, he is excited about this next chapter in his life.