About Mrs. Hamblin

Hello, Sunshines! This is my 23rd year of teaching, and I am excited for my 10th year at Talkington. Prior to coming to Talkington in 2017, I taught at Lubbock-Cooper Middle School and Laura Bush Middle School. I never thought I'd be a teacher, but now...I can't imagine doing anything else!! I have certainly found my calling and my livelihood.

Over 23 years, I have taught various classes, including 6th, 7th, and 8th grade PreAP English, on-level middle school Reading classes, and 7th and 8th grade writing labs, as well as electives such as journalism, creative writing, and TAKS remediation classes. During my time at Talkington, I have taught 7th grade Honors English/Reading, Journalism (newspaper), and Senior Seminar. I am fascinated by grammar and literature, and I'm grateful every day that my job is to teach what I love. This year, I am excited to teach 6th Grade Honors RLA and half of 8th Grade Honors RLA!

The mission and purpose of Talkington is my passion. Not only do I love teaching English, but I also treasure the idea of "growing" young women leaders. I am the first person in my immediate family to complete high school, and I am a first-generation college student. As far as I know, I am the only person in my entire family who has a college degree. I know from experience the importance of guidance, opportunities, perseverance, determination, and support to help young women grow into...and beyond...their potential. I practice what I preach by serving in leadership roles on our campus, including Lead Mentor TLC and TLC Ambassador.

On a personal note, I was born in Lubbock and raised in New Home, Texas (about 13 miles South of Lubbock). I attended South Plains College and graduated from Texas Tech University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Education. I am married, and I have a son who is almost 20 and a daughter who is 13 and is an 8th grader at Talkington. We have three dogs: Scout (a husky), Stache (a Giant Schnauzer), and Smalls (a Miniature Schnauzer). They are all spoiled messes...including the above-named children. 

I enjoy reading (of course), golfing, riding motorcycles, crafting, and crocheting, although I spend most of my free time reading. I also enjoy being outdoors. I'm a Dr. Pepper Zero, Cheeto, and Butterfinger addict, and I love to snack on almonds and Hot Tamales (they are the BOMB together). I'm obsessed with owls, Edgar Allan Poe, and Shakespeare. I'm addicted to Vita Majong on my phone (I'm going to have to delete it, or I will never get anything done), and crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles help me relax. I have recently discovered diamond art painting, and I am obsessed! I wear my "nerd" badge proudly.