Dr. Benjamin Hammond is a 1998 graduate of Abington High School and the vice principal at Cheltenham High School.

Dr. Hammond served the Cheltenham School District as a math teacher for a decade before being appointed to his current post in 2016. He has also served the district as a School Assessment Coordinator, Black Scholars Program Director, and wrestling team assistant coach.

His career in education began as a computer tech at Cheltenham High School and Middle School from 2002 to 2005. His alma mater gave him his first teaching position.

“My high school wrestling coach encouraged me to become a teacher so I went back to school to get my Masters in Education. When I finished, Abington hired me. I loved it because I was going back home,” he said. “However, when I was a computer tech at Cheltenham, I was meeting the kids and noticed a state-issued report that highlighted that the students at Cheltenham were struggling in a content area that I was teaching and I wanted to make a difference with them.”

The following year, he was re-hired by Cheltenham and has been there ever since.

According to local historian Chuck Langerman, Dr. Hammond was a star athlete as a member of the football and wrestling teams at Abington. He was also named the student with the “Most School Spirit” by his graduating class.

How has education changed over the course of your career?

“The students of today have gone through a lot more than we did. There are learning gaps caused by the pandemic that students are trying to get through. There are more mental health issues, some of which have skyrocketed. There’s a lot more that you have to account for outside of the classroom to help your students in the classroom.”

Best memories from Abington High School:

“My time as a football player and wrestler. I was also involved as the senior class president. That time had a lot of great memories. It was a great experience.

“Beating Cheltenham in a Thanksgiving Day game in 1998 sticks out. Academically, I really enjoyed being on the committee which wrote an application for the Blue Ribbon Award, which honors schools for excellence.”

Most satisfying professional moments:

“Some say education is a thankless job. You don’t always see the impact that you’re having on students immediately. Those moments, those small pieces of time, when you see your students later in life and you see the impact that had on them and they tell you the impact you had on them. It makes it all worth it. That makes the bad days go away.”

Favorite things about the greater Glenside area:

“It’s what I call home. The community, the diversity of the area, it’s more of an accepting area for all. I’ve always loved this area. It’s always been very welcoming.”

Words of wisdom/advice for Cheltenham’s recent graduates:

“Life has a way of always throwing a curveball. Never give up. Always find a way around those obstacles and understand that everybody needs help sometimes. Reach out to those who are there to help you and take that help.”

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