Welcome

Welcome to my Gifted Education Coordinator webpage. My name is Vanessa Hill and I’ve been an educator in the Amphitheater District for twenty-three years.  I taught REACH at the elementary level and middle school math and social studies for a decade each.  I am married and have two beautiful children and five adorable dogs.  I enjoy learning new things, reading, traveling, and spending time with my AMAZING family.

Defining Moment in Education

I went back to school to get my post-baccalaureate teaching certificate and Master of Arts in Education degree after working for Americorps.  Americorps provided me with the opportunity to work with children in an after-school care program as an environmental educator.  I loved working with the children in that program and realized teaching was the life for me.

 Core Educational Belief

I believe all people are creative.  My job as a gifted specialist and coordinator is to tap into that creativity.

 Prior Experience

Gifted Specialist-Rio Vista, Prince, Donaldson, Keeling, Nash and Wilson K-8 School

Wilson K-8 School-Sixth grade Language Arts, Math, Pre-Algebra, and Social Studies, Math Intervention 7th and 8th Grade

Professional Accomplishments

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies as coach of Future Problem Solving teams at Rio Vista and Amphitheater Middle School-World Finals Participation

2nd place trophy, Odyssey of the Mind Regional Tournament 2017

1st place trophy, Odyssey of the Mind State Tournament 2017-World Finals Participation

1st place trophy, Odyssey of the Mind Regional Tournament 2018

2nd place trophy, Odyssey of the Mind State Tournament 2018-World Finals Participation

Arizona Future Problem Solving Governing Board Member 2018 to 2020

2019 Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented Teacher of the Year

2021 Raytheon Leader in Education Finalist