Jamie Hill leaves positive legacy in Madison City Schools
MADISON – When students return to Discovery Middle School on Monday, there will be one very noticeable difference — a new head principal. Longtime administrator Jamie Hill recently resigned as the principal of Discovery Middle School.
Gulf Shores City Schools has appointed Hill as the new principal of Gulf Shores Middle School. “With over two decades of educational leadership experience, Hill brings a wealth of knowledge, a student-centered vision and a track record of excellence to the Gulf Shores City Schools family,” according to Gulf Coast Media in introducing Hill.
Hill received a fond farewell from the staff at Discovery, who honored his time and leadership at the school. Kate Wade has been promoted to Discovery principal from her former work as assistant principal (see related story on page 7A).
Hill’s entire career has been spent with Madison City Schools, except one year as principal of Eagle Academy Alternative School in Athens. After starting as a special education teacher, Hill moved into administration for four years as assistant principal at Bob Jones High School.
Hill then served as MCS Special Education Coordinator for three years. In 2014, he became Principal of Columbia Elementary School. He has worked as Principal of Discovery since 2021.
Among his honors, Hill was named “District 8 Principal of the Year” in 2024. District 8 includes DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone and Madison counties.
After graduation from Hazel Green High School, Hill attended Middle Tennessee State University, University of Alabama in Huntsville and Athens State University to earn a bachelor’s degree in collaborative special education.
His graduate study in educational administration has included a master’s degree, Tennessee State University, and Ed.S. and E.D. credentials, University of Alabama at Birmingham or UAB.
In 2022, Hill was inducted into Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame for his baseball career at Hazel Green, MTSU, UAH and professionally with Texas Rangers.
His wife Denise is a 1993 Bob Jones graduate. The Hills’ sons, Cole and Cam, attended MCS. Cole graduated from the University of Alabama. Cam graduated from Auburn University.
In a bon voyage gesture, former coworker Brian Givens said on Facebook, “(Jamie) didn’t have to take a chance on me. I learned so much in our one year together as Columbia Astros and beyond as one of my mentors. Countless lives have been impacted by your leadership in your various roles in service to MCS.”
Kate Wade has been promoted to Discovery Principal from her former work as Assistant Principal.
