Season 1 Episode 1: Voices from the Field with Carrie Hammye

What We Can Learn from Carrie Hammye’s Approach to Classroom Tech

By Dr. Adam Carreon

In our latest Voices from the Field episode, I sat down with Carrie Hammy, a junior high ELA teacher in Kansas who’s been in the classroom for over 20 years. Carrie isn’t just tech-savvy; she’s strategic. She doesn’t chase shiny tools. She looks for what solves real problems in her classroom, and she’s refreshingly honest about what works, what doesn’t, and what’s just plain frustrating.

Here are a few takeaways that stuck with me and might be helpful for other teachers trying to make tech work in real classrooms.

1. Start with the need, not the tool

Carrie’s guiding principle is simple: “See a need, meet a need.” If something isn't working, whether it’s time constraints, engagement, or access, she looks for technology that helps. She’s not interested in bells and whistles. She’s interested in tools that make her limited 40-minute periods count.

And yes, she’s also looking for what’s free. Because like many of us, she’s working with a tight budget and a long list of needs.

2. Teacher-led discovery matters

Carrie finds new tools through teacher Facebook groups, grad school assignments, and good old-fashioned Googling. When her favorite screen recording tool wasn’t compatible with her school’s system, she searched “tools like [X]” and found Loom. That kind of persistence and resourcefulness is something we don’t talk about enough. It’s not flashy, but it’s how most of us actually find what works.

3. StudySync is doing real work to support real kids

Carrie uses StudySync, an online textbook platform, to support students with learning differences. One story she shared really stuck with me: a student with dyslexia who used to read with his book upside down now listens to audio versions and uses speech-to-text to write. For the first time, his voice is part of the classroom conversation. That’s not just tech integration, that’s belonging.

4. Tech fails are inevitable, model what to do next

Carrie’s had her share of tech disasters, including a mic mishap during a rhyming lesson. Her response? Keep going. Laugh. Model resilience.

She also keeps paper backups and teaches her students (and subs) how to pivot when tech doesn’t cooperate. That’s a skill we all need to build into our planning.

5. AI tools like Brisk are helping with feedback and integrity

Carrie uses Brisk to give quick feedback and check for AI-generated writing. She’s also collaborating with high school teachers to make sure students are being academically honest.

6. Advice for teachers just starting out with tech

Carrie recommends setting a small, manageable goal, such as trying one new tool a month. She also suggests looping in your tech staff (if you have one) or using YouTube tutorials to learn alongside your students. And most importantly, she encourages teachers to be transparent: let students know when you’re trying something new and invite them into the process.

Signing Off

Carrie’s approach isn’t about being perfect or trendy. It’s about being intentional, flexible, and student-centered. If you’re a teacher trying to figure out how to make tech work in your classroom, her story is a reminder that you don’t need to do everything, you just need to do what matters.

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