Teacher Spotlight: How Ms. Hamill Brings History, Humor and Heart to Her Virtual Classroom 

Ms. Molly Hamill does not just lecture when she teaches The Declaration of Independence. She transforms into John Adams with a white wig, switches to a Benjamin Franklin bald cap, and then becomes Thomas Jefferson with a red wig. The goal is simple. Make history fun, memorable and meaningful. 

Ms. Hamill teaches fifth grade at California Virtual Academies (CAVA). Her lessons are more than dates and facts. They are stories. She draws from her creative writing, comedy and video editing background to create parody videos and reenactments that keep students laughing and learning. Her collection includes Real Housewives of the American Revolution and a livestream style reenactment from the Battle of Trenton. Many fellow teachers now share her videos with their own classes. You can explore her work here: Molly Hamill’s Classroom Videos 

A creative spark that grew 

The first video started as a playful idea. Students loved it and asked to watch it again at home. This enthusiasm turned a single clip into a growing library of lessons. 

“They thought it was hilarious. They said, ‘You need to put this on YouTube so we can share it with our families.’ I looked at the next week’s curriculum and thought of something funny to do for that too, and it just took off from there,” Ms. Hamill said. 

Today, Ms. Hamill builds activities around each video so students connect the humor to core concepts. Visual storytelling helps them stay engaged and the recorded lessons make it easy to revisit key moments and reinforce understanding. 

Fifth grade energy and real connection 

Ms. Hamill chose fifth grade because it blends independence with curiosity. Students bring strong interests and are ready for richer discussion. The virtual classroom becomes an active and social place to learn. 

“I love teaching fifth grade. It is such a cool age. They have their own interests and personalities. They can do things independently, and we can have more nuanced conversations,” Ms. Hamill said. 

Community is part of every week. She hosts optional office hours for questions, collaborative games and Minecraft Education. She builds in time for small group tables and show-and-tell so students can share artwork, pets and projects. In history and science, she uses group tasks that encourage speaking, listening and teamwork. 

Growth mindset in action 

Ms. Hamill helps students beyond creative lessons to build confidence and ownership of learning. She is transparent about expectations and invites students into the why behind rules and routines. Goal setting and reflection are regular habits in her class. 

“Mistakes are how we learn things, and to get better at something, it does not just magically happen. We have to practice,” Ms. Hamill said. 

Why it matters 

Ms. Hamill shows online learning can be personal, creative and inspiring. With humor, storytelling and genuine care, she helps students feel seen and supported while mastering important content. Her videos bring the past to life. Her routines build community. Her guidance helps students believe in their own growth. 

At CAVA, Ms. Hamill is making a difference one imaginative lesson at a time. Check out her videos on YouTube!