Hill named special education coordinator

Jamie Hill has been named coordinator of special education for Madison City Schools.

“I have a passion for educating students, especially those students with disabilities or at-risk behaviors,” Hill said. “I especially enjoy working with adults and leading people who work with students.”

Hill always will remember the first student with whom he worked — 6 feet 3 inches tall, 325 pounds with autism. “This student was non-verbal and had multiple social disorders. He had so much to say but could not verbalize, which led to many behavioral outbursts and a challenging curriculum,” he said.

During that time, Madison’s Central Office supported Hills’ efforts. “I’m ready to do the same in my new position as special education coordinator,” Hill said.

In his new position, Hill will supervise the referral, placement and eligibility of students for special education. He will manage supplies and equipment, confirm venues for the staff’s professional development and coordinate early intervention and pre-K developmental programs.

At Bob Jones High School, Hill has worked as an assistant principal since 2007 and previously as special education teacher from 2002-2005 and 2006-2007. He was principal of Eagle Academy Alternative School and head baseball coach at Athens High School in 2005-2006.

After graduating from Hazel Green High School, Hill attended Middle Tennessee State University and the University of Alabama in Huntsville, both for two years with baseball scholarships.

In 1999, Hill was drafted as a left-hand pitcher with the Texas Rangers and played until 2001.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in collaborative teaching from Athens State University and a master’s degree in educational administration from Tennessee State University.

Hill is working on his educational specialist degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham with expected completion in December 2012. He then plans to pursue his doctorate degree.

His wife Denise Hill works as a dental hygienist. The Hills’ children are Cole, 14, an eighth-grader at Liberty Middle School and Camden, 9, a fourth-grader at Mill Creek Elementary School.

Away from work, Hill coaches travel baseball, Madison recreational basketball and Pop Warner football for Madison Academy. “Both of my children are really good ball players,” he said.

The Hills have two pets: Tex, a black Labrador, and Levi, a toy poodle.