Mrs. Ellen Hamilton

I am super excited to come to STREAM as the new Co-Director. I grew up in Butte County, lived in Chico the majority of my life, and moved to Oroville two and a half years ago. I come to you with 17 years of experience as an educator where I taught English, Health, and English Language Development. I spent five years teaching high school, three years teaching junior high, six years as Director of State and Federal Programs, two years as Assistant Principal at the Elementary School, and one year as a Middle School Principal. During my years of teaching, I also worked as a part time English instructor for Butte College for 6 years. I have been with students from all different grade levels.

I am first generation and grew up in Northern California. Growing up, I was always reminded and encouraged to go to school and succeed by my parents who were illiterate in English and Hmong. During my time at school, I struggled with my identity, being torn into two cultures. I had a teacher who worked with me in English and encouraged me to get excelling grades. She showed me that I can succeed in whatever I put my mind to as long as I didn't forget who and where I came from. Who I am and was were the foundations for me to pursue in higher academics. Through her love and encouragement for me to succeed in school, she helped me find myself as a Hmong American and what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wanted to be a teacher like her and make an influence in people's lives the way she made a difference in my life. I have been blessed with the opportunity to become just that- a teacher and now administrator. 

I am big on family and big on my relationship with my church/small group. I love to read, eat, and travel. I am hoping to someday finish my biography book and share my life stories with others.