Educator Rob Hammond’s Cancer Battle

Raised in Louisville and a graduate of Western High School, Rob Hammond is the embodiment of a true Louisvillian. Mr. Hammond, affectionately known as “Lord” Hammond by his students and colleagues, has spent over ten years as a teacher in the Jefferson County Public School System at Iroquois High School and currently, Waggener High School.

 

 

 

In the spring of 2020 Mr. Hammond received a stage four cancer diagnosis. After receiving the news of his diagnosis, Lord Hammond knew he could simply not give up on his purpose, to impact the lives of the current generation. He has continued to teach in-person as much as he can, even holding virtual classes during chemo-therapy infusions. He has stated many times that, “It’s the students who keep me going.”

 

Due to the cost of new medical trials and prescriptions with a decrease of household income due to Covid, the financial strain has been increasing for Rob, his wife Lauren, and their daughter Genevieve. We have an opportunity to step-up and show our love, appreciation, and support for a man and his family who continually make a substantial positive impact on our city, community, and school. His inspirational story is well documented in television interviews (WDRB Article), newspaper articles (CJ article), and school district spotlights (I am JCPS). Through all of this, he maintains his stance that he’s an ordinary guy doing his job, when his spirit and will are extraordinary. Please, be a part of our support group!!

 

Career Accolades

Rob Hammond Day in St. Matthews, Saint of Saint Matthews, Key To the City of St. Matthews, WKU Honorary Faculty, College NoW Educator, Girl’s Soccer Coach, Official title of Lordship from Scotland

 

Testimonials-

Teacher - Tyler Kordesich

Mr. Lord Hammond is a man you can ask what it’s like to kill a bear with your bare hands, but don’t ask him about Turkish prisons (the non-disclosure agreement won’t let him talk about it anyway). I was hired by Waggener High School in August of 2020 to support Lord Hammond and his classes through his cancer diagnosis. I can say with complete certainty he ended up helping me astronomically more than I helped him. I promise you he will never own that because that is the kind of person Lord Hammond is. He lives his life with a sense of humility which has endeared him to so many people who surround him. Rob doesn’t enjoy the limelight, even when he is being praised as a saint, lord, or however many titles he has been given. My heart breaks for him, for his wife and for his daughter everyday. He single-handedly inspired and encouraged me to pursue my dream of being an educator. Mr. Hammond is the friend and mentor every new teacher needs. It’s an honor to teach with him and be able to call him a friend. If I can be half the teacher, mentor, coworker, or coach Mr. Hammond is, I would be a happy man.

 

Student - Dakota White

Mr. Hammond is not only my teacher, but my soccer coach as well. Mr. Hammond has taught me how to be independent, and if I want something I have to work for it. He taught me how to push myself even if I thought I couldn’t go anymore. He is one of my biggest supporters. If I ever mess up, he encourages me not to look at it as a loss, but to look at it as an opportunity for improvement. He always told me in his sarcastic style “if your legs hurt, cut it off and get a new one” as a joke to tell me it’s not that serious. I wish he could do something similar so that he could get healthy again. Honestly, I think Mr. Hammond deserves the world because he’s the kindest soul. There’s not one student at Waggener who hasn’t felt his impact on the school.

 

Student - Mohammad Fahnbulleh

Lord Hammond, A man of wisdom and knowledge far past my understanding. A very interesting man and an ideal teacher. Mr. Hammond is an amazing teacher, loves his job, and the students he teaches. He’s hard with students, but that’s just him molding and shaping us into the adults we need to be in the real world. He fascinates me with all his stories about his adventures, languages, and all his historical collections in this room. I wasn’t on his soccer team, but the way his players spoke so highly of him and talked about how much he cared for them and how much he wanted them to succeed even made me happy. Hearing that he has cancer really cut me and broke my heart. Watching him walk with a cane and losing weight drastically tore my heart apart. I asked him “Why don’t you quit working?” Mr. Hammond’s response was “I have bills to pay and money to make.” Please, take time out of your day to support one of the most hardworking men at this school by donating even if it’s just a dollar, to help his fight with cancer.

 

Student - Paola Gomez

Mr. Hammond has become a huge part of my life, and he has taught me so much. He cares so much about each one of his students and his soccer players. When I first met Mr. Hammond was so positive and courageous. He still is to this day. He shows up to school everyday to teach his sophomore classes. He always cheered us on whenever we would lose. He helped us feel what it felt like to win. There was never a dull moment with him. Our parents love how he helped us become better players and brought us together as a family. I just want to say “Thank you!” Mr. Hammond for never giving up on us, even after we gave up on ourselves.