2002 Nevada Teacher of the Year
Ms. Hill teaches Health Education to the students in grades nine and ten as well as teaching Physical Education to the elementary students at Green Valley High School in Nevada. She has been teaching for eighteen years.

What are your beliefs about teaching?
"My beliefs about teaching are very simple. I set high standards for students and give them ample opportunities and exciting avenues to pursue knowledge. I believe if you care about students they will attain success."

How are your beliefs incorporated in your teaching style?
"I believe that all students learn by different methods and I try to reach every student each day by using many varied techniques. After observing a group of students in my health class discussing Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and how this affects each of them, I knew they were gaining an understanding of how important their health truly is on a daily basis. During another class, students researched, designed and reported in their own magazine about the consequences of drugs and alcohol. I know that they utilized creativity and organizational skills, as well as learned what happens to their body and health when one uses or misuses drugs and alcohol. More than anything else with my philosophy, I feel an educator must care about her students. If a teacher is willing to work with all students, not be judgmental of their character, students will be positively affected."

What is your greatest teaching accomplishment?
"My greatest teaching accomplishment is the sincere appreciation from the students. It is amazing to read the exit evaluations from the students in my class. Health is such a dynamic subject, and adolescents are very interested in their own well-being and the well-being of those around them that there seems to be a built-in interest in the subject area that I teach."

What's the most critical issue facing educators today and what do you think can be done to resolve this issue?
"The most critical issue facing educators today is student readiness. If our system of public education is to continue to thrive, all students must be given the opportunity to excel by being prepared physically, mentally and socially to learn. It's difficult for students to learn if they are hungry, tired or simply not ready.

Certainly the Bush Administration's Policy of "No Child Left Behind" will be an interesting venue in which to observe this issue. Early childhood programs, Head Start, etc., will need adequate funding to ensure that each and every child is ready to learn to the best of his ability."

Inspirational thought:
"Children are always watching and listening. They are learning from us at all times and we must set a positive example for them by our actions."